Unbelievably fresh and acidic still for such an old wine. Beautiful fruit still, and secondary notes. Gorgeous wine. — 4 years ago
18.5 very special. Such a complete wine, rich but not cloying, very long. Perfect with Stilton. But even better by itself. — 6 years ago

A remarkable wine, a bit like many ‘45’s in its power and concentration. And while those who are after some more of the La Chapelle structure may be disappointed (and I have sympathy with aspects of the assessment), this is such an full expression of fruit and terroir, that I can really only cheer. Plums, orange zest, pepper and currants on the enticing nose. The palate is awash in luscious, sweet fruit, soy tinged, with melting tannins, round and soft, pure velvet past the mid palate, and it finishes with gusto, batons twirling, with layered exuberance and appealing length. — 10 years ago
The 1945 La Mission Haut-Brion from the château cellar is transcendental. It is blessed with the most beautiful bouquet you can imagine, effortless and natural, featuring woodland, red-berried fruits, a minerally quality and a faint touch of leafiness; given time to settle, it develops a lovely gamy note. The palate is medium- rather than full-bodied and sublimely balanced, upholding that effortless grace with an elegant, bittersweet, dried orange peel finish. One of the most harmonious wines I have ever consumed. Perfect. Tasted at the La Mission Haut-Brion vertical in London in September 2009. (Neal Martin, Vinous, May 2020)
— 6 years ago
Perfect condition- beautiful wine. — 10 years ago
The bouquet was dazzlingly aromatic, spices, cherries, cassis, earth and smoked game. A simply brilliant wine with supple, intensity, sweet and round, ebullient and yet still elegant. Gorgeously resolved cushioning tannins, lovely integrated acidity, mature red and black cherries past the mid palate, a silky spice confection and a floral mouth perfume as it finishes with still just superb length and depth. On this showing, this was such a spirited, distinguished yet time-defyingly ravishing wine. — 10 years ago
Excellent vintage port wine 1945 — 10 years ago
This was the WOTN that was showing surprisingly young and fresh considering it’s age. There was definite tannic structure present that was integrated with bright red fruit in the glass. A must-taste if you have the opportunity! — 4 years ago
Honeyed and rich. Like an old Port with more elegance. — 9 years ago
An initially distracting nose, after it resolved itself, you had eventually, aromas of cherries, mocha and tobacco. Fairly soft and refined on the palate, you have silky texture, nice balance of fruit and very gentle lapping acidity; then some chocolate, truffles and mushrooms past the mid palate, leading invitingly to a fairly velvety, well structured finish. — 10 years ago



John Van Trijp
Weekend with Friends and average wines…😎 — 6 months ago