Pessac-Leognan
Located just south of Bordeaux, the Péssac-Léognan AOC is renowned for producing exceptional red and white wines. The area's unique terroir, characterized by gravelly soil, allows for excellent drainage and provides the perfect environment for the cultivation of the region's signature varietals, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot for reds and Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon for whites. Château Haut-Brion is amongst the most prestigious First Growth in this appellation. Other renowned wineries in the region include the Super Second Château La Mission Haut-Brion, and the fast ascending Château Smith Haut-Lafitte and Domaine de Chevalier, all of which are known for their exceptional red and white blends.
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Pessac-Leognan
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(1x75cl) 2014Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93)
The 2014 Pape Clément Blanc is unctuous and beautifully textured, with soft contours and fabulous overall balance. Orchard fruit, apricot and gentle spice notes all come together in an open-knit Pessac-Léognan white that will drink well upon release. Lightly tropical notes and a kiss of French oak add closing nuance. As always, the Pape Clément Blanc is one of the most flamboyant whites - maybe the most flamboyant white - in Bordeaux, and yet all the elements fall into place effortlessly. Tasted three times.Inc. VAT£128.66 -
(6x75cl) 2016Jeb Dunnuck (98)
Among the whites of the vintage, the 2016 Château Pape Clément Blanc is one of the most concentrated, deep, and full-bodied whites out there, offering up a red wine-like structure to go with beautiful notes of white grapefruit, Meyer lemon, crushed rocks, and exotic flowers. A blend of 50% Sauvignon Blanc, 36% Sémillon, 9% Sauvignon Gris, and 5% Muscadelle, all from deep gravelly soils and brought up in 55% new French oak, this incredibly textured, pure, balanced white needs 3-4 years of bottle age and will keep for two decades or more.Inc. VAT£770.29 -
James Suckling (97-98)
This is so serious with incredible density and a chewy texture. Focused and tight. Layered and fascinating. Lots of minerals and lemon rind. Great young white. Can’t wait to see it after its elevage.Inc. VAT£650.75 -
James Suckling (98)
Beautiful aromas of lime curd, dried pear, grilled white peach and flint on the nose. So exotic on the nose. Some cream and honey, too. It’s medium-bodied with bright, tangy acidity. Creamy and focused with lingering dried-citrus and crushed-gravel notes. Long. Drink or hold.Inc. VAT£341.58 -
James Suckling (98)
Beautiful aromas of lime curd, dried pear, grilled white peach and flint on the nose. So exotic on the nose. Some cream and honey, too. It’s medium-bodied with bright, tangy acidity. Creamy and focused with lingering dried-citrus and crushed-gravel notes. Long. Drink or hold.Inc. VAT£477.95 -
James Suckling (96-97)
Lots of tangy fruit and beautiful depth. It’s full-bodied, yet racy and very, very long. So much salty and sliced-apple character here. Excellent minerality and intensity.Inc. VAT£1,434.70 -
James Suckling (96-97)
Lots of tangy fruit and beautiful depth. It’s full-bodied, yet racy and very, very long. So much salty and sliced-apple character here. Excellent minerality and intensity.Inc. VAT£570.35 -
(1x150cl) 2020Jeb Dunnuck (100)
One of the whites of the vintage, the 2020 Château Pape Clément Blanc is based on 62% Sauvignon Blanc, 33% Semillon, 4% Sauvignon Gris, and the remaining 1% Muscadelle, all of which was raised in a mix of new and used oak. This beauty stopped me in my tracks and offers a massive nose of honeyed limes, white flowers, tropical fruit, crushed stone, and orange marmalade. With the vintage’s vibrant sense of freshness, full-bodied richness, a stacked mid-palate, and a fabulous mouthfeel, this truly sensational white is an incredible achievement, and hats off to the team at Pape Clement! Give bottles 2-3 years and enjoy over the following two decades or so.Inc. VAT£293.96 -
(3x75cl) 2020Jeb Dunnuck (100)
One of the whites of the vintage, the 2020 Château Pape Clément Blanc is based on 62% Sauvignon Blanc, 33% Semillon, 4% Sauvignon Gris, and the remaining 1% Muscadelle, all of which was raised in a mix of new and used oak. This beauty stopped me in my tracks and offers a massive nose of honeyed limes, white flowers, tropical fruit, crushed stone, and orange marmalade. With the vintage’s vibrant sense of freshness, full-bodied richness, a stacked mid-palate, and a fabulous mouthfeel, this truly sensational white is an incredible achievement, and hats off to the team at Pape Clement! Give bottles 2-3 years and enjoy over the following two decades or so.Inc. VAT£415.22 -
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
One of the whites of the vintage, the 2020 Château Pape Clément Blanc is based on 62% Sauvignon Blanc, 33% Semillon, 4% Sauvignon Gris, and the remaining 1% Muscadelle, all of which was raised in a mix of new and used oak. This beauty stopped me in my tracks and offers a massive nose of honeyed limes, white flowers, tropical fruit, crushed stone, and orange marmalade. With the vintage’s vibrant sense of freshness, full-bodied richness, a stacked mid-palate, and a fabulous mouthfeel, this truly sensational white is an incredible achievement, and hats off to the team at Pape Clement! Give bottles 2-3 years and enjoy over the following two decades or so.Inc. VAT£620.29 -
(3x150cl) 2023James Suckling (96-97)
Dense and tight with a solid core of sliced Meyer lemon, lime and green apple. It’s full and very compact with a phenolic texture that runs the length of the wine. Slightly chewy, yet, it’s long and persistent with a mineral and bitter citrus undertone at the end.Inc. VAT£686.00 -
James Suckling (96-97)
Dense and tight with a solid core of sliced Meyer lemon, lime and green apple. It’s full and very compact with a phenolic texture that runs the length of the wine. Slightly chewy, yet, it’s long and persistent with a mineral and bitter citrus undertone at the end.Inc. VAT£693.20 -
IPicque Caillou Pessac-Leognan 2016 stands as a paragon of the vintage year, hailing from the acclaimed Pessac-Leognan region within Bordeaux, France. Crafted precisely on an exceptional gravel terroir, this exquisite fine wine boasts a harmonious blend of quintessential Bordeaux grape varieties, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Following a meticulous manual harvest, the grapes undergo traditional vinification methods, eclipsed by meticulous barrel ageing in French oak for optimum refinement.
The proprietor, Paulin Calvet, endows the Picque Caillou Pessac-Leognan 2016 with exceptional pedigree, demonstrating an unerring commitment to meticulous quality control and sustainable viticulture. This enchanting rouge surmounts an exuberant bouquet of red fruits, forest floor and exotic spices, with a hint of mint, followed by an elegantly structured palate accentuated by silky tannins, poised acidity, and splendid longevity. A fine testament to the combination of exceptional terroir and the visionary genius of Calvet, the Picque Caillou Pessac-Leognan 2016 would shine as the pièce de résistance at any connoisseur's table.
Inc. VAT£265.61 -
(12x75cl) 2017Discover the exquisite delight of the Picque Caillou Pessac-Leognan 2017. Emanating from the esteemed Pessac-Leognan appellation in the grand Bordeaux region, this delectable vintage exudes the expertise of its winemakers. The vineyard, nestled in the gravelly heartland of Bordeaux, ensures root depth for freedom in expressing unique varietal characters. The wine blend features 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, promising complexities and richness.
Produced under the skilled hands of Picque Caillou, the wine demonstrates a brilliant straw yellow colour. The fragrance combines elements of citrus and white peach with soft brioche undertones, reminiscent of the region's classic allure. The elaborate process sees fermemtation in oak barrels, then meticulously ageing for a further 10 months, which contributes to a classy finish.
The Picque Caillou Pessac-Leognan 2017 speaks volumes about the winery's unwavering commitment to quality, illustrating a seamless amalgamation of traditional winemaking and contemporary expertise.
Inc. VAT£285.67 -
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Wine Advocate (91-93+)
.Inc. VAT£298.18 -
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(12x75cl) 2020Jeb Dunnuck (90-92)
Lifted blue fruits, violets, Christmas spice, and some chocolate nuances emerge from the 2020 Château Picque Caillou, a medium to full-bodied, up-front, seamless, and beautifully balanced Pessac-Léognan. Despite plenty of up-front fruit, it also has solid underlying structure as well as ripe, polished tannins. It’s another beautiful wine from this appellation that should drink well in its youth yet also evolve gracefully.Inc. VAT£262.18 -
(6x75cl) 2021James Suckling (92-93)
Deep dark fruit with blackberry, black-truffle with orange-peel undertones. Medium-bodied with juicy fruit and a flavorful finish.Inc. VAT£233.09 -
(12x75cl) 2000Jeb Dunnuck (96)
Beautifully perfumed notes of ripe cherries, currants, white truffle, and leafy tobacco emerge from the 2000 Château Smith Haut Lafitte, a stunning Pessac-Léognan that is undeniably drinking well yet has another 10-15 years of prime drinking ahead of it. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has a seamless, layered mouthfeel, resolved tannins, and a great finish. It's impeccably balanced and will have a gradual decline after reaching its peak. Drink 2026-2041.Inc. VAT£2,147.80 -
The Wine Independent (99)
The 2005 Smith Haut Lafitte rouge is a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot. Medium to deep garnet-brick in color, it slips confidently out of the glass with notes of creme de cassis, baked plums, cracked black pepper, and pencil shavings, plus wafts of sandalwood and licorice. The medium to full-bodied palate is plush and juicy, featuring soft acidity and a long, beautifully poised finish. In a sweet spot for drinking now, this can cellar a further 20 years+.Inc. VAT£1,749.84 -
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
I think the greatest Smith Haut Lafitte to date (possibly matched by the 2018), the 2009 Château Smith Haut Lafitte tastes like it did on release, offering a smorgasbord of Graves magic in its smoked blackcurrants, chocolate, cold fireplace, truffle, unsmoked tobacco, and Asian spices. While this is a big, rich, incredibly concentrated Graves, it nevertheless maintains a beautiful level of nuance and elegance, with silky tannins, a seamless, multi-dimensional texture, and a heavenly finish that keeps you coming back to the glass. As with all truly great wines, it delivers an incredible amount of pleasure, both hedonistic and intellectual, all while staying weightless, graceful, and elegant. Hats off to the Cathiard family and winemaker Fabien Teitgen for this legendary Graves!Inc. VAT£2,474.35 -
(1x600cl) 2009
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
I think the greatest Smith Haut Lafitte to date (possibly matched by the 2018), the 2009 Château Smith Haut Lafitte tastes like it did on release, offering a smorgasbord of Graves magic in its smoked blackcurrants, chocolate, cold fireplace, truffle, unsmoked tobacco, and Asian spices. While this is a big, rich, incredibly concentrated Graves, it nevertheless maintains a beautiful level of nuance and elegance, with silky tannins, a seamless, multi-dimensional texture, and a heavenly finish that keeps you coming back to the glass. As with all truly great wines, it delivers an incredible amount of pleasure, both hedonistic and intellectual, all while staying weightless, graceful, and elegant. Hats off to the Cathiard family and winemaker Fabien Teitgen for this legendary Graves!Inc. VAT£3,922.37 -
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
I think the greatest Smith Haut Lafitte to date (possibly matched by the 2018), the 2009 Château Smith Haut Lafitte tastes like it did on release, offering a smorgasbord of Graves magic in its smoked blackcurrants, chocolate, cold fireplace, truffle, unsmoked tobacco, and Asian spices. While this is a big, rich, incredibly concentrated Graves, it nevertheless maintains a beautiful level of nuance and elegance, with silky tannins, a seamless, multi-dimensional texture, and a heavenly finish that keeps you coming back to the glass. As with all truly great wines, it delivers an incredible amount of pleasure, both hedonistic and intellectual, all while staying weightless, graceful, and elegant. Hats off to the Cathiard family and winemaker Fabien Teitgen for this legendary Graves!Inc. VAT£1,648.18 -
Wine Advocate (98)
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.Inc. VAT£1,092.58 -
Wine Advocate (94+)
The grand vin, the 2011 Smith-Haut-Lafitte is another great successes (and that’s saying something after the remarkable duo of 2009 and 2010 as well as the brilliant 2008). This wine exhibits a dense purple color along with a big, sweet nose of creme de cassis, mulberries, licorice and subtle background oak. Full-bodied with silky tannins, nicely integrated acidity, wood and alcohol, a multilayered mouthfeel, and a finish that lasts 45 seconds, this brilliant wine should drink well for 15-20 years.Inc. VAT£541.32 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (95)
A dark, sensual wine, the 2012 Smith Haut Lafitte boasts marvelous depth and textural richness. Dark red stone fruits, leather, smoke, tobacco, gravel and herbs are laced together in an expansive wine endowed with terrific purity. The tannins are going to need at least a few years to soften, but there is clearly quite a bit to look forward to.Inc. VAT£1,059.10 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)
In 2014 Smith Haut Lafitte produced an exceptionally soft, sexy Grand Vin. Dark cherry, plum, tobacco, licorice, menthol and red-toned fruit are all nicely delineated, while expressive floral notes give the wine a closing flourish of aromatic intensity. The 2014 is quite pretty, if a touch slender. It will drink well with minimal cellaring given its soft contours and supple, inviting personality. The blend is 62 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 30 % Merlot, 6 % Cabernet Franc and 2 % Petit Verdot. Tasted two times.Inc. VAT£1,059.10 -
James Suckling (97-98)
This is a very polished and precise young wine with beautiful depth and intensity. Full and sexy. It shows blueberry and black currant character with walnut and chocolate undertones. The tannins have a lovely texture. Joy to taste.Inc. VAT£1,406.35 -
James Suckling (97-98)
This is a very polished and precise young wine with beautiful depth and intensity. Full and sexy. It shows blueberry and black currant character with walnut and chocolate undertones. The tannins have a lovely texture. Joy to taste.Inc. VAT£661.18
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(1x75cl) 2014
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93)
The 2014 Pape Clément Blanc is unctuous and beautifully textured, with soft contours and fabulous overall balance. Orchard fruit, apricot and gentle spice notes all come together in an open-knit Pessac-Léognan white that will drink well upon release. Lightly tropical notes and a kiss of French oak add closing nuance. As always, the Pape Clément Blanc is one of the most flamboyant whites - maybe the most flamboyant white - in Bordeaux, and yet all the elements fall into place effortlessly. Tasted three times.In Bond£104.00 -
(6x75cl) 2016
Jeb Dunnuck (98)
Among the whites of the vintage, the 2016 Château Pape Clément Blanc is one of the most concentrated, deep, and full-bodied whites out there, offering up a red wine-like structure to go with beautiful notes of white grapefruit, Meyer lemon, crushed rocks, and exotic flowers. A blend of 50% Sauvignon Blanc, 36% Sémillon, 9% Sauvignon Gris, and 5% Muscadelle, all from deep gravelly soils and brought up in 55% new French oak, this incredibly textured, pure, balanced white needs 3-4 years of bottle age and will keep for two decades or more.In Bond£624.00 -
James Suckling (97-98)
This is so serious with incredible density and a chewy texture. Focused and tight. Layered and fascinating. Lots of minerals and lemon rind. Great young white. Can’t wait to see it after its elevage.In Bond£523.00 -
James Suckling (98)
Beautiful aromas of lime curd, dried pear, grilled white peach and flint on the nose. So exotic on the nose. Some cream and honey, too. It’s medium-bodied with bright, tangy acidity. Creamy and focused with lingering dried-citrus and crushed-gravel notes. Long. Drink or hold.In Bond£275.00 -
James Suckling (98)
Beautiful aromas of lime curd, dried pear, grilled white peach and flint on the nose. So exotic on the nose. Some cream and honey, too. It’s medium-bodied with bright, tangy acidity. Creamy and focused with lingering dried-citrus and crushed-gravel notes. Long. Drink or hold.In Bond£379.00 -
James Suckling (96-97)
Lots of tangy fruit and beautiful depth. It’s full-bodied, yet racy and very, very long. So much salty and sliced-apple character here. Excellent minerality and intensity.In Bond£1,157.00 -
James Suckling (96-97)
Lots of tangy fruit and beautiful depth. It’s full-bodied, yet racy and very, very long. So much salty and sliced-apple character here. Excellent minerality and intensity.In Bond£456.00 -
(1x150cl) 2020
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
One of the whites of the vintage, the 2020 Château Pape Clément Blanc is based on 62% Sauvignon Blanc, 33% Semillon, 4% Sauvignon Gris, and the remaining 1% Muscadelle, all of which was raised in a mix of new and used oak. This beauty stopped me in my tracks and offers a massive nose of honeyed limes, white flowers, tropical fruit, crushed stone, and orange marmalade. With the vintage’s vibrant sense of freshness, full-bodied richness, a stacked mid-palate, and a fabulous mouthfeel, this truly sensational white is an incredible achievement, and hats off to the team at Pape Clement! Give bottles 2-3 years and enjoy over the following two decades or so.In Bond£239.00 -
(3x75cl) 2020
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
One of the whites of the vintage, the 2020 Château Pape Clément Blanc is based on 62% Sauvignon Blanc, 33% Semillon, 4% Sauvignon Gris, and the remaining 1% Muscadelle, all of which was raised in a mix of new and used oak. This beauty stopped me in my tracks and offers a massive nose of honeyed limes, white flowers, tropical fruit, crushed stone, and orange marmalade. With the vintage’s vibrant sense of freshness, full-bodied richness, a stacked mid-palate, and a fabulous mouthfeel, this truly sensational white is an incredible achievement, and hats off to the team at Pape Clement! Give bottles 2-3 years and enjoy over the following two decades or so.In Bond£338.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
One of the whites of the vintage, the 2020 Château Pape Clément Blanc is based on 62% Sauvignon Blanc, 33% Semillon, 4% Sauvignon Gris, and the remaining 1% Muscadelle, all of which was raised in a mix of new and used oak. This beauty stopped me in my tracks and offers a massive nose of honeyed limes, white flowers, tropical fruit, crushed stone, and orange marmalade. With the vintage’s vibrant sense of freshness, full-bodied richness, a stacked mid-palate, and a fabulous mouthfeel, this truly sensational white is an incredible achievement, and hats off to the team at Pape Clement! Give bottles 2-3 years and enjoy over the following two decades or so.In Bond£499.00 -
(3x150cl) 2023
James Suckling (96-97)
Dense and tight with a solid core of sliced Meyer lemon, lime and green apple. It’s full and very compact with a phenolic texture that runs the length of the wine. Slightly chewy, yet, it’s long and persistent with a mineral and bitter citrus undertone at the end.In Bond£551.00 -
James Suckling (96-97)
Dense and tight with a solid core of sliced Meyer lemon, lime and green apple. It’s full and very compact with a phenolic texture that runs the length of the wine. Slightly chewy, yet, it’s long and persistent with a mineral and bitter citrus undertone at the end.In Bond£557.00 -
IPicque Caillou Pessac-Leognan 2016 stands as a paragon of the vintage year, hailing from the acclaimed Pessac-Leognan region within Bordeaux, France. Crafted precisely on an exceptional gravel terroir, this exquisite fine wine boasts a harmonious blend of quintessential Bordeaux grape varieties, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Following a meticulous manual harvest, the grapes undergo traditional vinification methods, eclipsed by meticulous barrel ageing in French oak for optimum refinement.
The proprietor, Paulin Calvet, endows the Picque Caillou Pessac-Leognan 2016 with exceptional pedigree, demonstrating an unerring commitment to meticulous quality control and sustainable viticulture. This enchanting rouge surmounts an exuberant bouquet of red fruits, forest floor and exotic spices, with a hint of mint, followed by an elegantly structured palate accentuated by silky tannins, poised acidity, and splendid longevity. A fine testament to the combination of exceptional terroir and the visionary genius of Calvet, the Picque Caillou Pessac-Leognan 2016 would shine as the pièce de résistance at any connoisseur's table.
In Bond£180.00 -
(12x75cl) 2017
Discover the exquisite delight of the Picque Caillou Pessac-Leognan 2017. Emanating from the esteemed Pessac-Leognan appellation in the grand Bordeaux region, this delectable vintage exudes the expertise of its winemakers. The vineyard, nestled in the gravelly heartland of Bordeaux, ensures root depth for freedom in expressing unique varietal characters. The wine blend features 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, promising complexities and richness.
Produced under the skilled hands of Picque Caillou, the wine demonstrates a brilliant straw yellow colour. The fragrance combines elements of citrus and white peach with soft brioche undertones, reminiscent of the region's classic allure. The elaborate process sees fermemtation in oak barrels, then meticulously ageing for a further 10 months, which contributes to a classy finish.
The Picque Caillou Pessac-Leognan 2017 speaks volumes about the winery's unwavering commitment to quality, illustrating a seamless amalgamation of traditional winemaking and contemporary expertise.
In Bond£206.00 -
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Wine Advocate (91-93+)
.In Bond£210.00 -
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(12x75cl) 2020
Jeb Dunnuck (90-92)
Lifted blue fruits, violets, Christmas spice, and some chocolate nuances emerge from the 2020 Château Picque Caillou, a medium to full-bodied, up-front, seamless, and beautifully balanced Pessac-Léognan. Despite plenty of up-front fruit, it also has solid underlying structure as well as ripe, polished tannins. It’s another beautiful wine from this appellation that should drink well in its youth yet also evolve gracefully.In Bond£180.00 -
(6x75cl) 2021
James Suckling (92-93)
Deep dark fruit with blackberry, black-truffle with orange-peel undertones. Medium-bodied with juicy fruit and a flavorful finish.In Bond£175.00 -
(12x75cl) 2000
Jeb Dunnuck (96)
Beautifully perfumed notes of ripe cherries, currants, white truffle, and leafy tobacco emerge from the 2000 Château Smith Haut Lafitte, a stunning Pessac-Léognan that is undeniably drinking well yet has another 10-15 years of prime drinking ahead of it. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has a seamless, layered mouthfeel, resolved tannins, and a great finish. It's impeccably balanced and will have a gradual decline after reaching its peak. Drink 2026-2041.In Bond£1,754.00 -
The Wine Independent (99)
The 2005 Smith Haut Lafitte rouge is a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot. Medium to deep garnet-brick in color, it slips confidently out of the glass with notes of creme de cassis, baked plums, cracked black pepper, and pencil shavings, plus wafts of sandalwood and licorice. The medium to full-bodied palate is plush and juicy, featuring soft acidity and a long, beautifully poised finish. In a sweet spot for drinking now, this can cellar a further 20 years+.In Bond£1,421.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
I think the greatest Smith Haut Lafitte to date (possibly matched by the 2018), the 2009 Château Smith Haut Lafitte tastes like it did on release, offering a smorgasbord of Graves magic in its smoked blackcurrants, chocolate, cold fireplace, truffle, unsmoked tobacco, and Asian spices. While this is a big, rich, incredibly concentrated Graves, it nevertheless maintains a beautiful level of nuance and elegance, with silky tannins, a seamless, multi-dimensional texture, and a heavenly finish that keeps you coming back to the glass. As with all truly great wines, it delivers an incredible amount of pleasure, both hedonistic and intellectual, all while staying weightless, graceful, and elegant. Hats off to the Cathiard family and winemaker Fabien Teitgen for this legendary Graves!In Bond£2,022.00 -
(1x600cl) 2009
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
I think the greatest Smith Haut Lafitte to date (possibly matched by the 2018), the 2009 Château Smith Haut Lafitte tastes like it did on release, offering a smorgasbord of Graves magic in its smoked blackcurrants, chocolate, cold fireplace, truffle, unsmoked tobacco, and Asian spices. While this is a big, rich, incredibly concentrated Graves, it nevertheless maintains a beautiful level of nuance and elegance, with silky tannins, a seamless, multi-dimensional texture, and a heavenly finish that keeps you coming back to the glass. As with all truly great wines, it delivers an incredible amount of pleasure, both hedonistic and intellectual, all while staying weightless, graceful, and elegant. Hats off to the Cathiard family and winemaker Fabien Teitgen for this legendary Graves!In Bond£3,242.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
I think the greatest Smith Haut Lafitte to date (possibly matched by the 2018), the 2009 Château Smith Haut Lafitte tastes like it did on release, offering a smorgasbord of Graves magic in its smoked blackcurrants, chocolate, cold fireplace, truffle, unsmoked tobacco, and Asian spices. While this is a big, rich, incredibly concentrated Graves, it nevertheless maintains a beautiful level of nuance and elegance, with silky tannins, a seamless, multi-dimensional texture, and a heavenly finish that keeps you coming back to the glass. As with all truly great wines, it delivers an incredible amount of pleasure, both hedonistic and intellectual, all while staying weightless, graceful, and elegant. Hats off to the Cathiard family and winemaker Fabien Teitgen for this legendary Graves!In Bond£1,353.50 -
Wine Advocate (98)
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.In Bond£890.50 -
Wine Advocate (94+)
The grand vin, the 2011 Smith-Haut-Lafitte is another great successes (and that’s saying something after the remarkable duo of 2009 and 2010 as well as the brilliant 2008). This wine exhibits a dense purple color along with a big, sweet nose of creme de cassis, mulberries, licorice and subtle background oak. Full-bodied with silky tannins, nicely integrated acidity, wood and alcohol, a multilayered mouthfeel, and a finish that lasts 45 seconds, this brilliant wine should drink well for 15-20 years.In Bond£432.50 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (95)
A dark, sensual wine, the 2012 Smith Haut Lafitte boasts marvelous depth and textural richness. Dark red stone fruits, leather, smoke, tobacco, gravel and herbs are laced together in an expansive wine endowed with terrific purity. The tannins are going to need at least a few years to soften, but there is clearly quite a bit to look forward to.In Bond£844.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)
In 2014 Smith Haut Lafitte produced an exceptionally soft, sexy Grand Vin. Dark cherry, plum, tobacco, licorice, menthol and red-toned fruit are all nicely delineated, while expressive floral notes give the wine a closing flourish of aromatic intensity. The 2014 is quite pretty, if a touch slender. It will drink well with minimal cellaring given its soft contours and supple, inviting personality. The blend is 62 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 30 % Merlot, 6 % Cabernet Franc and 2 % Petit Verdot. Tasted two times.In Bond£844.00 -
James Suckling (97-98)
This is a very polished and precise young wine with beautiful depth and intensity. Full and sexy. It shows blueberry and black currant character with walnut and chocolate undertones. The tannins have a lovely texture. Joy to taste.In Bond£1,132.00 -
James Suckling (97-98)
This is a very polished and precise young wine with beautiful depth and intensity. Full and sexy. It shows blueberry and black currant character with walnut and chocolate undertones. The tannins have a lovely texture. Joy to taste.In Bond£531.00
