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    Château Smith Haut Lafitte

    About Château Smith Haut Lafitte

    Smith-Haut-Lafitte was bought by Florence and Daniel Cathiard in 1990. But its prestigious history dates back to 1365 when the first vines were planted. George Smith bought the Graves estate in 1720, adding his name to the property. After renovating the estate, the Cathiards now live in the 18th century chartreuse dating from George Smith’s time. Over the years, the Cathiards have invested hugely to modernize Smith Haut-Lafitte. In 1995 they built their own cooperage, allowing them produce 70% of their own barrels to their exacting specifications.


    They have also created state-of-the-art wine making facilities. In 2009 they were one of the first estates to use “Oenoview” satellite imagery system to assess grape ripeness. They also make use of the latest optical sorting technology. These efforts have seen quality, and critical acclaim, leap upwards - culminating in a perfect 100 score from Wine Advocate for the 2009 vintage. Today the vineyard is organic and self-sustainable, with an eye to biodynamic farming techniques. These efforts are led by Fabien Teitgen, the Technical Director for all the Cathiard properties is an integral part of their estate’s success.



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    27 Products

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    Prices: In Bond Inc. VAT
    Product Name Region Qty Score Price
    Bordeaux 1 94 (JS)
    Inc. VAT
    £316.24
    View

    James Suckling (94)

    Beautiful aromas of blackcurrants, blackberries and dark chocolate. Some hot stones. Full-bodied, dense and chewy yet polished and juicy. Shows pretty length and density. Very clean and focused. Precise. Better in 2021.
    More Info
    Bordeaux 1 94 (VN (AG))
    Inc. VAT
    £204.64
    View

    Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)

    The 2016 Le Petit Haut Lafitte is a fabulous second wine from Smith Haut Lafitte. Inky blue/purplish berry fruit, lavender, menthol, licorice and cloves give the Petit Haut Lafitte its striking aromatic complexity. Deep, resonant and exquisitely layered, the 2016 is a real joy to taste. I would cellar it for another year or two. The 2016 has enough depth and pedigree to develop beautifully for the next 10-15 years.
    More Info
    Bordeaux 1 93 (VN (AG))
    Inc. VAT
    £202.84
    View

    Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93)

    Cabernet Sauvignon takes center stage in the 2018 Le Petit Haut Lafitte. A powerful, deep wine, the 2018 possesses terrific energy as well as a good deal of Cabernet savoriness. I would prefer to cellar it for at least a few years as it is tightly wound today. Black cherry, blackberry jam, cloves, licorice and chocolate give this imposing red a real feeling of somber intensity.
    More Info
    Bordeaux 1 94 (VN (AG))
    Inc. VAT
    £181.24
    View

    Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)

    The 2019 Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte is fabulous. Rich, powerful and vibrant, Le Petit packs a serious punch. Readers will have a hard time keeping their hands off this jewel of a wine. Black cherry, plum, new leather, licorice, mocha and dried herbs build as this effusive, generous wine shows off its racy, alluring personality. I loved it.
    More Info
    Bordeaux 1 94 (VN (AG))
    Inc. VAT
    £211.84
    View

    Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)

    The 2020 Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte is a gorgeous second wine. Dark cherry, grilled herbs, menthol, licorice, plum, spice and tobacco infuse the 2020 with striking aromatic nuance. Cabernet Sauvignon drives the blend, and that is very much in evidence in the wine's flavor profile and overall structure. There's terrific depth and density here, not to mention tons of character.
    More Info
    Bordeaux 1 92 (JA)
    Inc. VAT
    £170.09
    View

    Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (92)

    You'll find a greater difference in quality than in a typical vintage between this and Hauts de Smith, with greater clarity of expression and rich aromatics here. Blueberry, raspberry leaf, lemongrass and campfire smoke, with salted cracker salinity on the finish. This is where you fid the sweet stuff in 2021 - not by looking for ripe fruit but by going long on juicy, elegant, well balanced savoury fruit that has plenty of character. A great 2nd wine that is worth seeking out. 30% new oak.
    More Info
    Bordeaux 1 92-93 (JS)
    Inc. VAT
    £328.24
    View

    James Suckling (92-93)

    A dense, layered white with cooked-apple, honey and lemon aromas and flavors. Layered and flavorful with a zingy, mineral finish. 80% sauvignon with 20% semillon.
    More Info
    Bordeaux 1 93-94 (JS)
    Inc. VAT
    £277.84
    View

    James Suckling (93-94)

    Both fresh and ripe with pleasing notes of green mangoes, papayas, limes and kiwi. Flint and shells, too. Medium-bodied with excellent tension and a textured finish. 80% sauvignon blanc and 20% semillon. From organically grown grapes.
    More Info
    Bordeaux 3 93 (VN (AG))
    Inc. VAT
    £208.24
    View

    Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93)

    Inky dark fruit, gravel, smoke, spice, grilled herbs, lavender and menthol all flesh out in this rich, supple Merlot-driven blend from Smith Haut Lafitte. The 2017 is a flat-out delicious wine. Inky dark cherry, plum, chocolate, spice and savory overtones from the Cabernet all infuse the 2017 with notable character. The 2017 finishes with a good bit of structure, which ensures it will drink well for a number of years.
    More Info
    Bordeaux 4 93 (VN (AG))
    Inc. VAT
    £244.24
    View

    Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93)

    The 2018 Les Hauts de Smith is a powerhouse. I recall a much more open-knit wine from en primeur, but the bottled 2018 packs a serious punch. Inky dark fruit, chocolate, cloves, gravel and licorice give the 2018 a distinctly brooding feel. Les Hauts is conceived as a restaurant wine, but the 2018 is far from an easygoing example. There is plenty of depth, power and structure. A burst of dark red fruit laced with floral overtones punctuates the finish.
    More Info
    Bordeaux 6 93 (VN (AG))
    Inc. VAT
    £212.09
    View

    Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93)

    The 2020 Les Hauts de Smith, 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, is plump, juicy and quite forward. Succulent red cherry, cedar, cinnamon and dried flowers are front and center. Bright acids play off the ripe, racy fruit very nicely. Plush tannins wrap it all together in style.
    More Info
    Bordeaux 4 93 (DC)
    Inc. VAT
    £284.09
    View

    Decanter (93)

    This is the best ‘just crack on and drink it’ white wine in Bordeaux in my opinion. Made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc, it’s so full of exotic fruits and fragrant white flowers, with seductive aromatics. Juicy and mouthwatering, easy to enjoy.
    More Info
    Bordeaux 4 92 (VN (AG))
    Inc. VAT
    £248.09
    View

    Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92)

    The 2020 Les Hauts de Smith Blanc is a very pretty wine that shows the richer side of Sauvignon Blanc off to great effect. Pear, white peach, tangerine oil and sweet floral notes are nicely delineated. This has come together nicely with élevage. The balance of rich, textured fruit and brightness is impeccable.
    More Info
    Bordeaux 1 93 (WA)
    Inc. VAT
    £822.04
    View

    Wine Advocate (93)

    A sensational effort and one of the stars of the vintage, Smith-Haut-Lafitte’s 2004 possesses an inky/blue/purple-tinged color as well as a sumptuous nose of lead pencil shavings, spring flowers, blueberries, and blackberries. Surprisingly full-bodied for the vintage with stunning concentration, purity, and overall harmony, this is another brilliant wine from the proprietors, the Cathiards, who have done such a spectacular job at this estate since the early 1990s. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2022.
    More Info
    Bordeaux 4 99 (WI)
    Inc. VAT
    £1,101.64
    View

    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+.
    More Info
    Bordeaux 1 98 (WA)
    Inc. VAT
    £1,074.04
    View

    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.
    More Info
    Bordeaux 2 97-98 (JS)
    Inc. VAT
    £834.04
    View

    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.
    More Info
    Bordeaux 1 98 (VN (AG))
    Inc. VAT
    £643.24
    View

    Vinous - Antonio Galloni (98)

    The 2016 Smith Haut Lafitte is flat out stunning. Rich, ample and explosive, the 2016 possesses tremendous energy and tension to play off the wine's dark, rich fruit. I am not sure I have ever tasted a young Smith Haut Lafitte with such extraordinary balance. In 2016, the Grand Vin is tense and pulsing with energy. Hints of lavender, spice, menthol and crème de cassis open up in the glass, but the 2016 stands out for its feel and exceptional harmony. The combined effects of picking a bit early, vinifiying more gently and reducing the impact of oak are having a profound effect at Smith Haut Lafitte. Thinking of some of the highly regarded wines of the last decade here, the 2009 and 2010 in particular, well, the 2016 is on another level. This is magnificent showing from proprietors Florence and Daniel Cathiard, and their team led by Technical Director Fabien Teitgen.
    More Info
    Bordeaux 1 97+ (WA)
    Inc. VAT
    £463.24
    View

    Wine Advocate (97+)

    Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Smith Haut Lafitte charges out of the gate with bold expressions of warm redcurrants, baked blackberries and crème de cassis with hints of spice cake, dried roses, underbrush and pencil lead plus a waft of candied violets. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a fantastic core of densely packed red and black fruits, framed by wonderfully ripe, rounded tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and perfumed.
    More Info
    Bordeaux 1 97-100 (JD)
    Inc. VAT
    £643.24
    View

    Jeb Dunnuck (97-100)

    Checking in as 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot brought up in 60% new French oak, the 2018 Château Smith Haut Lafitte reveals a saturated purple color as well as rock star notes of crème de cassis, blueberries, graphite, crushed rocks, and spice. Deep, profoundly concentrated, beautifully seamless and textured on the palate, it reminds me of the 2009 with its opulent, powerful style. It's a brilliant wine from this terrific estate and up with the top wines in the vintage. Hats off to director Fabien Teitgen who continues to make an elegant yet powerful, uncompromising style of wine.
    More Info
    Bordeaux 1 99 (WI)
    Inc. VAT
    £541.24
    View

    The Wine Independent (99)

    The 2019 Smith Haut Lafitte Rouge comes from terroir composed of 60% gravel and 40% clay and is a blend of around 2/3 Cabernet Sauvignon and 1/3 Merlot with a splash of Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple colored, it needs considerable swirling to unlock notes of blackcurrant preserves, stewed plums, and juicy blackberries, with hints of candied violets, licorice, espresso, and tapenade, plus wafts of crushed rocks and wood smoke. Full-bodied, rich, and opulent in the mouth, it has very firm, super-ripe, fine-grained tannins and bold freshness to support the voluptuous, mineral-accented fruit, finishing very long and achingly perfumed.
    More Info
    Bordeaux 2 100 (JD)
    Inc. VAT
    £769.24
    View

    Jeb Dunnuck (100)

    Absolutely pure gold and reminding me of the 2009 (or is it the 2010?), the 2020 Château Smith Haut Lafitte sports a dense purple hue to go with incredible aromatics of blackberries, blueberries, scorched earth, wood smoke, and acacia flowers. One of the most concentrated, rich, and sexy wines in the vintage, this massive and extraordinarily opulent 2020 shows the vintage's pure, elegant profile yet backs it up with sensational levels of fruit and texture. Based on 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it already offers pleasure given its wealth of fruit, but it deserves 7-8 years of bottle age and will evolve for 40-50 years. Not enough can be said about the quality of these wines. Bravo to Florence and Daniel Cathiard, as well as to director Fabien Teitgen, for another incredible achievement.
    More Info
    Bordeaux 3 96-97 (JS)
    Inc. VAT
    £669.29
    View

    James Suckling (96-97)

    Lots of clove, black-licorice and cigar-box character. Already perfumed. Medium body with fine, chalky and precise tannins. Lead-pencil shavings. Well framed and structured with a fresh, lengthy and spicy finish. Extremely long and intense. 63% cabernet sauvignon, 33% merlot, 3% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot. From organically grown grapes.
    More Info
    Bordeaux 1 96+ (WA)
    Inc. VAT
    £900.04
    View

    Wine Advocate (96+)

    Composed of 90% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Sémillon and 5% Sauvignon Gris, the Smith Haut Lafitte 2015 Blanc has an incredibly compelling nose of ripe apricots, passion fruit, honeyed lemons and crushed stones with a hint of lime blossoms. Medium-bodied, super intense and super minerally, the palate sings of stone fruit and citrus layers with plenty of zip and zing, finishing with incredible persistence, alluring fruitiness and a savory contrast that will keep you reaching for another glass.
    More Info
    Bordeaux 1 96-97 (JS)
    Inc. VAT
    £715.84
    View

    James Suckling (96-97)

    A full-bodied, layered white with dried apples, pears and cream. Beautiful, very upfront and plush already. Love the richness and precision.
    More Info
    Bordeaux 2 100 (JD)
    Inc. VAT
    £838.84
    View

    Jeb Dunnuck (100)

    Lastly, and pure perfection in white wine, the 2020 Château Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc is based on 90% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Sauvignon Gris and 5% Semillon that was aged in 50% new oak. This massively rich, concentrated, powerful white offers a heavenly nose of honeyed flowers, orange marmalade, lemon grass, and toasted bread, with a building sense of salinity and minerality that shows on the finish. Drink this stunningly rich, layered, concentrated 2020 over the coming two decades.
    More Info
    Bordeaux 4 98-99 (JS)
    Inc. VAT
    £838.84
    View

    James Suckling (98-99)

    This has so much depth and power, with complex notes of flint, oyster shell, white pepper, dried mango, lemon, papaya, apricot stone and chalk. Medium-to full-bodied. Bright, yet creamy. It’s so long and concentrated. Wait and see. 90% sauvignon blanc, 5% semillon, 5% sauvignon gris. From organically grown grapes.
    More Info
    Product Name Region Qty Score Price
    Bordeaux 1 94 (JS)
    In Bond
    £247.50
    View

    James Suckling (94)

    Beautiful aromas of blackcurrants, blackberries and dark chocolate. Some hot stones. Full-bodied, dense and chewy yet polished and juicy. Shows pretty length and density. Very clean and focused. Precise. Better in 2021.
    More Info
    Bordeaux 1 94 (VN (AG))
    In Bond
    £154.50
    View

    Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)

    The 2016 Le Petit Haut Lafitte is a fabulous second wine from Smith Haut Lafitte. Inky blue/purplish berry fruit, lavender, menthol, licorice and cloves give the Petit Haut Lafitte its striking aromatic complexity. Deep, resonant and exquisitely layered, the 2016 is a real joy to taste. I would cellar it for another year or two. The 2016 has enough depth and pedigree to develop beautifully for the next 10-15 years.
    More Info
    Bordeaux 1 93 (VN (AG))
    In Bond
    £153.00
    View

    Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93)

    Cabernet Sauvignon takes center stage in the 2018 Le Petit Haut Lafitte. A powerful, deep wine, the 2018 possesses terrific energy as well as a good deal of Cabernet savoriness. I would prefer to cellar it for at least a few years as it is tightly wound today. Black cherry, blackberry jam, cloves, licorice and chocolate give this imposing red a real feeling of somber intensity.
    More Info
    Bordeaux 1 94 (VN (AG))
    In Bond
    £135.00
    View

    Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)

    The 2019 Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte is fabulous. Rich, powerful and vibrant, Le Petit packs a serious punch. Readers will have a hard time keeping their hands off this jewel of a wine. Black cherry, plum, new leather, licorice, mocha and dried herbs build as this effusive, generous wine shows off its racy, alluring personality. I loved it.
    More Info
    Bordeaux 1 94 (VN (AG))
    In Bond
    £160.50
    View

    Vinous - Antonio Galloni (94)

    The 2020 Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte is a gorgeous second wine. Dark cherry, grilled herbs, menthol, licorice, plum, spice and tobacco infuse the 2020 with striking aromatic nuance. Cabernet Sauvignon drives the blend, and that is very much in evidence in the wine's flavor profile and overall structure. There's terrific depth and density here, not to mention tons of character.
    More Info
    Bordeaux 1 92 (JA)
    In Bond
    £122.50
    View

    Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (92)

    You'll find a greater difference in quality than in a typical vintage between this and Hauts de Smith, with greater clarity of expression and rich aromatics here. Blueberry, raspberry leaf, lemongrass and campfire smoke, with salted cracker salinity on the finish. This is where you fid the sweet stuff in 2021 - not by looking for ripe fruit but by going long on juicy, elegant, well balanced savoury fruit that has plenty of character. A great 2nd wine that is worth seeking out. 30% new oak.
    More Info
    Bordeaux 1 92-93 (JS)
    In Bond
    £257.50
    View

    James Suckling (92-93)

    A dense, layered white with cooked-apple, honey and lemon aromas and flavors. Layered and flavorful with a zingy, mineral finish. 80% sauvignon with 20% semillon.
    More Info
    Bordeaux 1 93-94 (JS)
    In Bond
    £215.50
    View

    James Suckling (93-94)

    Both fresh and ripe with pleasing notes of green mangoes, papayas, limes and kiwi. Flint and shells, too. Medium-bodied with excellent tension and a textured finish. 80% sauvignon blanc and 20% semillon. From organically grown grapes.
    More Info
    Bordeaux 3 93 (VN (AG))
    In Bond
    £157.50
    View

    Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93)

    Inky dark fruit, gravel, smoke, spice, grilled herbs, lavender and menthol all flesh out in this rich, supple Merlot-driven blend from Smith Haut Lafitte. The 2017 is a flat-out delicious wine. Inky dark cherry, plum, chocolate, spice and savory overtones from the Cabernet all infuse the 2017 with notable character. The 2017 finishes with a good bit of structure, which ensures it will drink well for a number of years.
    More Info
    Bordeaux 4 93 (VN (AG))
    In Bond
    £187.50
    View

    Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93)

    The 2018 Les Hauts de Smith is a powerhouse. I recall a much more open-knit wine from en primeur, but the bottled 2018 packs a serious punch. Inky dark fruit, chocolate, cloves, gravel and licorice give the 2018 a distinctly brooding feel. Les Hauts is conceived as a restaurant wine, but the 2018 is far from an easygoing example. There is plenty of depth, power and structure. A burst of dark red fruit laced with floral overtones punctuates the finish.
    More Info
    Bordeaux 6 93 (VN (AG))
    In Bond
    £157.50
    View

    Vinous - Antonio Galloni (93)

    The 2020 Les Hauts de Smith, 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, is plump, juicy and quite forward. Succulent red cherry, cedar, cinnamon and dried flowers are front and center. Bright acids play off the ripe, racy fruit very nicely. Plush tannins wrap it all together in style.
    More Info
    Bordeaux 4 93 (DC)
    In Bond
    £217.50
    View

    Decanter (93)

    This is the best ‘just crack on and drink it’ white wine in Bordeaux in my opinion. Made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc, it’s so full of exotic fruits and fragrant white flowers, with seductive aromatics. Juicy and mouthwatering, easy to enjoy.
    More Info
    Bordeaux 4 92 (VN (AG))
    In Bond
    £187.50
    View

    Vinous - Antonio Galloni (92)

    The 2020 Les Hauts de Smith Blanc is a very pretty wine that shows the richer side of Sauvignon Blanc off to great effect. Pear, white peach, tangerine oil and sweet floral notes are nicely delineated. This has come together nicely with élevage. The balance of rich, textured fruit and brightness is impeccable.
    More Info
    Bordeaux 1 93 (WA)
    In Bond
    £669.00
    View

    Wine Advocate (93)

    A sensational effort and one of the stars of the vintage, Smith-Haut-Lafitte’s 2004 possesses an inky/blue/purple-tinged color as well as a sumptuous nose of lead pencil shavings, spring flowers, blueberries, and blackberries. Surprisingly full-bodied for the vintage with stunning concentration, purity, and overall harmony, this is another brilliant wine from the proprietors, the Cathiards, who have done such a spectacular job at this estate since the early 1990s. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2022.
    More Info
    Bordeaux 4 99 (WI)
    In Bond
    £902.00
    View

    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+.
    More Info
    Bordeaux 1 98 (WA)
    In Bond
    £879.00
    View

    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.
    More Info
    Bordeaux 2 97-98 (JS)
    In Bond
    £679.00
    View

    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.
    More Info
    Bordeaux 1 98 (VN (AG))
    In Bond
    £520.00
    View

    Vinous - Antonio Galloni (98)

    The 2016 Smith Haut Lafitte is flat out stunning. Rich, ample and explosive, the 2016 possesses tremendous energy and tension to play off the wine's dark, rich fruit. I am not sure I have ever tasted a young Smith Haut Lafitte with such extraordinary balance. In 2016, the Grand Vin is tense and pulsing with energy. Hints of lavender, spice, menthol and crème de cassis open up in the glass, but the 2016 stands out for its feel and exceptional harmony. The combined effects of picking a bit early, vinifiying more gently and reducing the impact of oak are having a profound effect at Smith Haut Lafitte. Thinking of some of the highly regarded wines of the last decade here, the 2009 and 2010 in particular, well, the 2016 is on another level. This is magnificent showing from proprietors Florence and Daniel Cathiard, and their team led by Technical Director Fabien Teitgen.
    More Info
    Bordeaux 1 97+ (WA)
    In Bond
    £370.00
    View

    Wine Advocate (97+)

    Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Smith Haut Lafitte charges out of the gate with bold expressions of warm redcurrants, baked blackberries and crème de cassis with hints of spice cake, dried roses, underbrush and pencil lead plus a waft of candied violets. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a fantastic core of densely packed red and black fruits, framed by wonderfully ripe, rounded tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and perfumed.
    More Info
    Bordeaux 1 97-100 (JD)
    In Bond
    £520.00
    View

    Jeb Dunnuck (97-100)

    Checking in as 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot brought up in 60% new French oak, the 2018 Château Smith Haut Lafitte reveals a saturated purple color as well as rock star notes of crème de cassis, blueberries, graphite, crushed rocks, and spice. Deep, profoundly concentrated, beautifully seamless and textured on the palate, it reminds me of the 2009 with its opulent, powerful style. It's a brilliant wine from this terrific estate and up with the top wines in the vintage. Hats off to director Fabien Teitgen who continues to make an elegant yet powerful, uncompromising style of wine.
    More Info
    Bordeaux 1 99 (WI)
    In Bond
    £435.00
    View

    The Wine Independent (99)

    The 2019 Smith Haut Lafitte Rouge comes from terroir composed of 60% gravel and 40% clay and is a blend of around 2/3 Cabernet Sauvignon and 1/3 Merlot with a splash of Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple colored, it needs considerable swirling to unlock notes of blackcurrant preserves, stewed plums, and juicy blackberries, with hints of candied violets, licorice, espresso, and tapenade, plus wafts of crushed rocks and wood smoke. Full-bodied, rich, and opulent in the mouth, it has very firm, super-ripe, fine-grained tannins and bold freshness to support the voluptuous, mineral-accented fruit, finishing very long and achingly perfumed.
    More Info
    Bordeaux 2 100 (JD)
    In Bond
    £625.00
    View

    Jeb Dunnuck (100)

    Absolutely pure gold and reminding me of the 2009 (or is it the 2010?), the 2020 Château Smith Haut Lafitte sports a dense purple hue to go with incredible aromatics of blackberries, blueberries, scorched earth, wood smoke, and acacia flowers. One of the most concentrated, rich, and sexy wines in the vintage, this massive and extraordinarily opulent 2020 shows the vintage's pure, elegant profile yet backs it up with sensational levels of fruit and texture. Based on 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it already offers pleasure given its wealth of fruit, but it deserves 7-8 years of bottle age and will evolve for 40-50 years. Not enough can be said about the quality of these wines. Bravo to Florence and Daniel Cathiard, as well as to director Fabien Teitgen, for another incredible achievement.
    More Info
    Bordeaux 3 96-97 (JS)
    In Bond
    £538.50
    View

    James Suckling (96-97)

    Lots of clove, black-licorice and cigar-box character. Already perfumed. Medium body with fine, chalky and precise tannins. Lead-pencil shavings. Well framed and structured with a fresh, lengthy and spicy finish. Extremely long and intense. 63% cabernet sauvignon, 33% merlot, 3% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot. From organically grown grapes.
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    Bordeaux 1 96+ (WA)
    In Bond
    £734.00
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    Wine Advocate (96+)

    Composed of 90% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Sémillon and 5% Sauvignon Gris, the Smith Haut Lafitte 2015 Blanc has an incredibly compelling nose of ripe apricots, passion fruit, honeyed lemons and crushed stones with a hint of lime blossoms. Medium-bodied, super intense and super minerally, the palate sings of stone fruit and citrus layers with plenty of zip and zing, finishing with incredible persistence, alluring fruitiness and a savory contrast that will keep you reaching for another glass.
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    Bordeaux 1 96-97 (JS)
    In Bond
    £580.50
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    James Suckling (96-97)

    A full-bodied, layered white with dried apples, pears and cream. Beautiful, very upfront and plush already. Love the richness and precision.
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    Bordeaux 2 100 (JD)
    In Bond
    £683.00
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    Jeb Dunnuck (100)

    Lastly, and pure perfection in white wine, the 2020 Château Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc is based on 90% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Sauvignon Gris and 5% Semillon that was aged in 50% new oak. This massively rich, concentrated, powerful white offers a heavenly nose of honeyed flowers, orange marmalade, lemon grass, and toasted bread, with a building sense of salinity and minerality that shows on the finish. Drink this stunningly rich, layered, concentrated 2020 over the coming two decades.
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    Bordeaux 4 98-99 (JS)
    In Bond
    £683.00
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    James Suckling (98-99)

    This has so much depth and power, with complex notes of flint, oyster shell, white pepper, dried mango, lemon, papaya, apricot stone and chalk. Medium-to full-bodied. Bright, yet creamy. It’s so long and concentrated. Wait and see. 90% sauvignon blanc, 5% semillon, 5% sauvignon gris. From organically grown grapes.
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    In Bond
    Inc. VAT

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