1988 Haut Brion & 1988 La Mission Haut Brion

wine+artMember

I did not post this under the Tasting Notes section as I did not really take any formal notes.

Both of these wines were drinking very well currently, and clearly no need to rush and drink soon.

I found the Haut Brion to be a little reserved and more of a classic Bordeaux if you will, ( thinking Upper East Side, NY) and the La Mission more vibrant and racy, yet still Bordeaux, without debate. ( Upper West Side, NY)

Based solely on these two bottles side by side, I would give a clear edge to the La Mission, but would never say no to the Haut Brion.

Both examples of excellent wine making and excellent Bordeaux, in my opinion.

12/4/105:24 PM

❤️ 0

Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

ksc02Member

Whatever happened to the '61 Dom!???

12/4/108:57 PM

❤️ 0

sade58Member

Had the 88 HB recently..Solid wine yet richly portioned fruit with mild tannins. Beautiful..One of my favorite BDx in a while.

12/4/1010:32 PM

❤️ 0

board-oMember

A little guidance requested here- I have one bottle of the '88 Haut Brion left and haven't had one in the last few years. When should I open my final bottle?

As a side note- we had the '88 Lafite a year and a half ago and thought it was too young.

12/4/1011:49 PM

❤️ 0

redguyinabluestateMember

Thanks for the post. I am still sitting on one last 88 LMHB. I might continue to do so (unless we decide to do the 88 retrospective). I also have an 88 Margaux, but I am no hurry to pull that cork unless someone can convince me otherwise.

12/5/1012:02 AM

❤️ 0

wine+artMember

quote:
Originally posted by KSC02:
Whatever happened to the '61 Dom!???

We drank it, but not at this dinner.

12/5/108:34 AM

❤️ 0

wine+artMember

quote:
Originally posted by Board-O:
A little guidance requested here- I have one bottle of the '88 Haut Brion left and haven't had one in the last few years. When should I open my final bottle?

Board-O, based solely on this bottle, there is no need to rush. That said, while the wine will hold well, I do not see it improving much past her 25th birthday. While all of the '88 Haut Brion's I have enjoyed have been rock solid if not excellent, I have yet to have a truly special bottle from this vintage.

Good luck, and look forward to hearing how your bottle shows.

12/5/108:42 AM

❤️ 0

board-oMember

Thanks. Any recent tastings of the Lafite or Mouton? I have a Mouton in our place in Florida and was thinking of opening it when we're down there later this month.

12/5/108:45 AM

❤️ 0

wine+artMember

quote:
Originally posted by Board-O:
Thanks. Any recent tastings of the Lafite or Mouton? I have a Mouton in our place in Florida and was thinking of opening it when we're down there later this month.

No, sorry.

12/5/108:51 AM

❤️ 0

board-oMember

Maybe 1988 should be our next Bordeaux of the week tasting.

12/5/109:58 AM

❤️ 0

wine+artMember

quote:
Originally posted by Board-O:
Maybe 1988 should be our next Bordeaux of the week tasting.

I'm starting to enjoy this theme.

12/5/1010:24 AM

❤️ 0

board-oMember

Me too, but I won't be buying much Bordeaux anymore and want to maximize the enjoyment of mine by trying to open them close to their optimum. I'm agonizing over when to drink my remaining 1959s.

12/5/1011:32 AM

❤️ 0

redguyinabluestateMember

quote:
Originally posted by Board-O:
Thanks. Any recent tastings of the Lafite or Mouton? I have a Mouton in our place in Florida and was thinking of opening it when we're down there later this month.

I had the 88 Mouton a few years back and it was in early maturity - young, but tasty and very approachable. It seemed like it had a lot of life left without being too tannic. I would assume it is in a pretty good place right now.

12/5/105:53 PM

❤️ 0

board-oMember

Thanks for the advice.

12/5/107:12 PM

❤️ 0

thirstymanMember

I have had the 1988 La Mission twice in the last year. Both times, it was beautiful and ready to drink. I have not had a lot of experience with 1988 bordeaux (and have had none of the 1st growths), but this is by far the best wine of the bunch - Cos, Montrose, Pape Clement, and a few lesser wines that escape me now.

G

12/6/104:16 PM

❤️ 0

godxMember