The 2013 La Mission Haut Brion Blanc, a blend of 24% Sauvignon Blanc and 76% Semillon, had a surprisingly backward, stoic bouquet that frankly refused to come out to play when I tasted it at the château. The palate is much better and more representative, very well balanced and powerful, with notes of grapefruit and honeysuckle, quite spicy towards the finish, as if making up for the reticence on the nose. This is a La Mission Haut Brion Blanc that I suspect will grow up to be outgoing and maybe even fiery, but it will require several years in bottle to settle down.

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