Château Smith Haut Lafitte

98 points - The Wine Advocate
98 points - The Wine Advocate
97 points - The Wine Advocate
98 points - The Wine Advocate
100 points - The Wine Advocate
90 points - The Wine Advocate
Château Smith Haut Lafitte - 2018 - 75cl - Onshore Cellars

Château Smith Haut Lafitte

98 points - The Wine Advocate
98 points - The Wine Advocate
97 points - The Wine Advocate
98 points - The Wine Advocate
100 points - The Wine Advocate
90 points - The Wine Advocate
Vintage
Size
Regular price €190.80
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Composed of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot and matured in 60% new oak for 18 months, the 2016 Smith Haut Lafitte has a very deep garnet-purple color, opening with sensuous scents of warm black cherries, blackberry pie, star anise and fragrant lilacs with hints of chocolate box, cigar box and pencil lead plus wafts of truffles and crushed rocks. Medium to full-bodied, rich and seductive, it completely fills the palate with perfumed black berry preserves and superbly plush tannins, finishing epically long and beautifully layered.
A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, aged in 60% new barriques, the very deep garnet-purple colored 2018 Smith Haut Lafitte bursts onto the scene with showy scents of crème de cassis, mocha, licorice and cedar chest, followed by suggestions of baked plums, smoked meats, tar and tobacco leaf. The medium to full-bodied palate brings sophistication to all that flamboyant fruit with a beautifully styled frame of finely grained tannins and bold freshness, finishing bright and fruity with loads of minerally sparks. This is a stunning, singular style that is sure to turn heads!
Medium to deep garnet-purple, the 2015 Smith Haut Lafitte has a totally dazzling nose of exotic spices—star anise, fenugreek and Sichuan pepper—over a core of chocolate-covered cherries, wild blueberries, plum preserves, violets and earthy wafts of truffles, moss, tilled black soil and forest floor. Medium to full-bodied, beautifully balanced and packing a lot of flavor into a relatively modest package, it fills the mouth with spice and herb-laced black and blue fruit layers, supported by very ripe, very finely grained tannins and seamless freshness, finishing with epic length. This is already a show-stopping, heart-pounding beauty, but should also age incredibly!
Deep garnet colored, the 2010 Smith Haut Lafitte delivers notes of baked plums, boysenberries and dried mulberries with an undercurrent of cigar box, new leather and bouquet garni. Full-bodied, the palate has firm, grainy tannins and bold freshness supporting the maturing fruit, finishing on a stewed tea note.
The finest wine ever made by proprietors Daniel and Florence Cathiard, the 2009 Smith-Haut-Lafitte exhibits an opaque blue/purple color in addition to a glorious nose of acacia flowers, licorice, charcoal, blueberries, black raspberries, lead pencil shavings and incense. This massive, extraordinarily rich, unctuously textured wine may be the most concentrated effort produced to date, although the 2000, 2005 and 2010 are nearly as prodigious. A gorgeous expression of Pessac-Leognan with sweet tannin, emerging charm and delicacy, and considerable power, depth, richness and authority, it should age effortlessly for 30-40+ years. Bravo!
This successful wine exhibits notes of ripe black currants and smoked herbs. With deep, concentrated, attractive flavors, medium body, sweet tannin, and decent acidity, this is an impressive, classic Graves that should drink well young yet age nicely for up to two decades. It is more structured and linear than the plump 2003, but both are top-notch efforts.
Type:
Red
Country:
France
Region:
Bordeaux
Appellation:
Pessac-Léognan
Producer:
Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte
Grapes/Blend:
Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
ABV:
14.5%

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Behind the bottle

Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte

Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte

Everything comes from the soil. At Château Smith Haut Lafitte, they do their utmost to respect nature and biodiversity, both in the vineyard and cellar.

Château Smith...
Everything comes from the soil. At Château Smith Haut Lafitte, they do their utmost to respect nature and biodiversity, both in the vineyard and cellar.

Château Smith Haut Lafitte plants vines propagated from their own vineyards thanks to our vine nursery on Ile de Lalande. This island protected ecosystem enables them to maintain the vine’s genetic diversity, as well as the complexity of their wines.

The vines of Château Smith Haut Lafitte are planted in a single block on a Günz gravel plateau in the Pessac-Léognan appellation, producing six different wines.

Château Smith Haut Lafitte, a Graves Great Growth in both red and white, and our two second wines Les Hauts de Smith and Le Petit Haut Lafitte, also in red and white. Each has its own unique blend and distinctive aromatic profile.
Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte
Bordeaux - Onshore Cellars

Bordeaux

Bordeaux, in the southwest of France, needs little introduction as one of the world's most famous, prestigious and prolific wine regions. The majority of Bordeaux wines (nearly 90...
Bordeaux, in the southwest of France, needs little introduction as one of the world's most famous, prestigious and prolific wine regions. The majority of Bordeaux wines (nearly 90 percent of production volume) are the dry, medium- and full-bodied red Bordeaux Blends that established its reputation.

The finest (and most expensive) of these are the wines from the great châteaux of the Haut-Médoc and the Right Bank appellations Saint-Émilion and Pomerol. The former is focused (at the top level) on Cabernet Sauvignon, the latter pair on on Merlot.

The legendary reds are complemented by high-quality white wines based on Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc. These range from dry whites to challenge the best from the Burgundy region (Pessac-Léognan is particularly renowned) to the sweet, botrytized nectars of Sauternes.
Explore Bordeaux
Pessac-Léognan

Pessac-Léognan

Established in 1987, the Pessac-Léognan appellation is relatively young compared to other Bordeaux appellations. However, its history is deeply rooted in the ancient vineyards of the Graves region,...

Established in 1987, the Pessac-Léognan appellation is relatively young compared to other Bordeaux appellations. However, its history is deeply rooted in the ancient vineyards of the Graves region, which have been producing wine since Roman times. The Pessac-Léognan appellation lies just south of the city of Bordeaux, and its terroir is characterised by gravelly soils, providing excellent drainage and heat retention, which are essential for producing the region's highly-regarded wines.

The production methods used in Pessac-Léognan reflect the region's dedication to quality, innovation, and tradition. Winemakers here employ a combination of traditional and modern techniques, including hand harvesting, meticulous grape selection, and temperature-controlled fermentation. The use of oak barrels for ageing is common, imparting complexity and elegance to the wines. The region is best known for its red wines, which are typically a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, with smaller amounts of Petit Verdot and Malbec. However, Pessac-Léognan also produces exceptional white wines, made primarily from Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon grapes, often with a touch of Muscadelle.

One of the most iconic wine producers in Pessac-Léognan is Château Haut-Brion, a First Growth estate with a history dating back to the 16th century. Haut-Brion is known for its robust, full-bodied red wines, which exude elegance and complexity with layers of dark fruit, graphite, and earthy undertones. The estate is also renowned for its dry white wines, crafted from a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon, displaying notes of citrus, honeysuckle, and mineral complexity.

Another celebrated producer in the Pessac-Léognan appellation is Château La Mission Haut-Brion, a historic estate dating back to the 17th century. La Mission Haut-Brion produces exceptional red wines with a reputation for intensity, depth, and longevity. These wines are characterised by their opulent fruit flavours, integrated tannins, and notes of tobacco, leather, and truffle.

Domaine de Chevalier is a highly-regarded producer of both red and white wines in Pessac-Léognan. Established in the 19th century, Domaine de Chevalier is committed to sustainable viticulture practices and a deep respect for its terroir. The estate's red wines are known for their elegance and finesse, with a focus on Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, while its white wines showcase the complex interplay between Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon, offering notes of citrus, pear, and subtle oak influence.

Château Smith Haut Lafitte, another prominent producer in the Pessac-Léognan appellation, boasts a history spanning over 800 years. Smith Haut Lafitte is dedicated to organic and biodynamic farming practices and is known for its refined red wines, which display a harmonious balance of fruit, tannins, and acidity, with notes of blackcurrant, cedar, and spice. The estate's white wines are equally impressive, offering a vibrant expression of Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Sauvignon Gris, with hints of citrus, white flowers, and minerality.

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