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.
Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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Bordeaux | 1 | 92 (JA) |
Inc. VAT
£170.09 |
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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. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 93-94 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£279.04 |
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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. |
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Bordeaux | 2 | 96-97 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£518.42 |
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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 | 3 | 96-97 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£666.64 |
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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 | 98-99 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£1,593.67 |
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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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Bordeaux | 4 | 98-99 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£835.24 |
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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. |
Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 92 (JA) |
In Bond
£122.50 |
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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. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 93-94 (JS) |
In Bond
£216.50 |
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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. |
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Bordeaux | 2 | 96-97 (JS) |
In Bond
£424.00 |
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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 | 3 | 96-97 (JS) |
In Bond
£539.50 |
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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 | 98-99 (JS) |
In Bond
£1,296.00 |
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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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Bordeaux | 4 | 98-99 (JS) |
In Bond
£680.00 |
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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. |