What to Buy
Welcome to Cru World Wine, the world's leading platform for fine wine and spirits, where you can find an extensive selection of wines from both old and new world regions. Whether you are a wine connoisseur or just starting to explore the world of wine, we have something for everyone.
For those who are looking for a no-brainer sweet bargain, we have a range of affordable wines that are perfect for everyday drinking and entertaining. These wines offer great value for money without compromising on quality.
If you are looking to invest in fine wines, we have a selection of investment recommendations that are sure to impress. Our team of experts carefully curates these wines based on their potential for future appreciation and their historical track record of increasing in value.
For those who are looking for something unique and different, we offer a range of wines that are hard to find anywhere else. From rare vintages to obscure varietals, we have something for the adventurous wine drinker.
No matter what your taste preferences or budget, our platform offers a diverse selection of wines that are sure to satisfy you. So why wait? Start browsing our selection today and discover your next favorite bottle.
What to Buy
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Vinous (94)
Dark cherries, cloves and dusty rose lift up from the aromatically stunning 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva PS. This gains in depth and richness with time in the glass, as hints of plum sauce and sage evolve. You can feel the sheer weight of the old vines here, soaking the palate with velvety depths of spicy red and black fruits, but with a cooling wave of minty herbs. Soft, sweet tannins gain a salty and very mineral twang under an air of savory herbs and tobacco, showing incredibly long and structured yet massively dark, like a black hole of concentration. Frankly, I underestimated this wine the last time I tasted it, and I am happy to upgrade my score.Inc. VAT£1,199.98 -
(6x75cl) 2010Vinous (95)
Giancarlo Pacenti’s 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Vecchie Vigne is another superb wine. The contours are more modern and the fruit leans towards the darker end of spectrum, yet all the elements are wonderfully in balance. Surprisingly open and expressive for a young Brunello, the 2010 is sure to improve with a little more time in the bottle. All of the Pacenti signatures are in place, though, and the house style is unmistakable.Inc. VAT£972.80 -
Vinous (95)
The 2011 Brunello di Montalcino Vecchie Vigne is deep, powerful and explosive. The gravitas of the old vines and the blend of fruit that incorporates fruit from the southern end of the zone in equal parts with the north comes through loud and clear. Macerated cherries, smoke, spices, leather, licorice and French oak flesh out in a dense, stylish Brunello that captures the essence of the Pacenti house style. Drink this creamy, voluptuous Brunello over the next decade or so.Inc. VAT£384.43 -
James Suckling (95)
Aromas of ripe fruit such as sweet strawberries and hints of orange peel and chocolate. Medium to full body, soft and velvety tannins and a flavorful finish. Riper style. Drink or hold.Inc. VAT£357.58 -
Inc. VAT£443.15 -
Vinous (92+)
Deep red-ruby. Spicy, earthy nuances complement the ripe red cherry, balsamic and herbal aromas and flavors; this is just a touch bigger and riper than the 2014 Brunello Pellagrilli. The finish is long and smooth; this is one of the best showings for the vintage.Inc. VAT£835.18 -
James Suckling (100)
An incredible benchmark for Brunello with great depth, length and power. Sour cherries, flowers, dried fruit and bark. Full and layered with intense, polished tannins. Tightens at the end. Goes on for minutes. Better in the future, but always great.Inc. VAT£418.78 -
James Suckling (97)
Such wonderful opulence and beauty. The nose shows dried flowers and minerals with blackberries and black cherries. Purity is the word. Full-bodied with incredible depth and structure and polished, silky tannins that envelop your palate. The length is really impressive. Try after 2025.Inc. VAT£453.58 -
Inc. VAT£382.40 -
James Suckling (99)
Black cherries, lavender, black mushrooms, lead pencil and violets on the nose. Full-bodied with a powerful and polished tannin structure that follows through to the very end. Pure, silky texture. Fascinating aftertaste of ripe fruit, yet it’s fresh and tense. Some orange peel, too. Glorious at the end. So well crafted and pointed. This needs another three to five years to integrate but already extremely impressive.Inc. VAT£563.98 -
Inc. VAT£929.09 -
(6x75cl) 2015Vinous (96)
The 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Vecchie Vigne bursts from the glass with a seductive array of sweet spices, minty herbs, a dusting of cacao, and dried black cherries. It is silken and voluptuous, with depths of ripe cherry-berry fruits elevated by juicy acidity as a framework of fine tannins mounts toward the close. This wine is so giving and fresh, tapering off long and structured yet still so pleasurable as hints of sour wild berries pinch at the cheeks. A fantastic showing.Inc. VAT£729.20 -
Vinous (95)
The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Vecchie Vigne is a total pleasure to the senses. A whiff of tobacco and dried herbs complicates black cherries and hints of cedary spice. Silken in feel, it presents tart red and black fruits guided by brisk acidity, while a crisp mineral tinge adds form toward the close. It leaves a pleasantly bitter saturation of dark chocolate and a coating of fine tannins, finishing with excellent length.Inc. VAT£417.58 -
Inc. VAT£356.00 -
Inc. VAT£406.03 -
(1x300cl) 2010Few wines assert their artistry with such aplomb as the Sixtine Chateauneuf Du Pape 2010. An emblem of the renowned Cuvée de la Sixtine vineyards in the Rhône Valley of France, this wine is the embodiment of meticulous craftsmanship. The region's calcareous clay terroir and dry Mediterranean climate bless this vintage with an exquisite intensity. With a predominance of classic Grenache, bolstered by Syrah and Mourvèdre, it settles beautifully in French oak barrels for twelve months before decanting.
Its deep ruby hue bespeaks opulence, emanating aromas of ripe black fruits, subtly mingled with spices and licorice. The palate is enveloped in a grand tapestry of tannins, with a spectacularly long finish. Sixtine Chateauneuf Du Pape 2010 is testament to the expertise of the Diffonty family, a venerable wine producing lineage dating back to 1673. A bold choice for discerning connoisseurs, it typifies the refinement of French viticulture.
Inc. VAT£385.55 -
(1x75cl) 2003Wine Advocate (96+)
The 20003 was made by Martha McClellan and the viticulture looked over by David Abreu. The 2003 Sloan, if slightly less prodigious than the perfect 2002, remains a young wine. Notes of vanillin, espresso roast, blackberries, scorched earth, camphor and hints of charcoal and barbecue meat jump from the glass of this spicy, rich, provocative Cabernet Sauvignon. With a full-bodied mouthfeel, sweet tannin and adequate acidity, the blend includes 14% Cabernet Franc and 86% Cabernet Sauvignon from this extraordinary hillside vineyard above Auberge de Soleil in mid-Napa Valley. This wine is 2-5 years away from full maturity, and should last for another decade.Inc. VAT£416.80 -
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
The prodigious 2013 Proprietary Red is a perfect, magical wine that brings to mind a great vintage of Chateau Latour with its massive, backward style. Dense plum/purple-colored, with powerful notes of crushed rocks, unsmoked tobacco, lead pencil, and blackcurrants, it is a magically opulent, pure wine that has a stacked mid-palate as well as flawless balance, giving it a rare mix of both power and elegance. The finish lasts for nearly a minute, and despite being relatively approachable today, it’s going to benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and cruise in cool cellars for 25-30 years.Inc. VAT£2,154.73 -
Wine Advocate (98)
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2014 Proprietary Red needs a little coaxing to reveal slowly unfurling notions of warm black cherries, mulberries, redcurrants and blackberry compote with touches of licorice, tapenade, chargrill and scorched earth. Full-bodied, firm, grainy and packed with layers of black fruits and savory flavors, it has a firm, grainy backbone of very ripe tannins and tons of vivacity, finishing very long.Inc. VAT£1,672.80 -
Jeb Dunnuck (99)
Moving to the grand vin, the 2016 Proprietary Red is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon with the balance Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. Tasting like a mix of the 2013 and 2014 with its incredible elegance and power, it reveals a deep purple hue as well as extraordinary notes of crème de cassis, crushed violets, lead pencil, and unsmoked tobacco. Ethereally textured, seamless, and full-bodied, it builds incrementally on the palate and is a monster of a wine that somehow stays light, graceful and elegant. It should hit maturity after a decade of cellaring and be a 40- to 50-year wine.Inc. VAT£1,655.94 -
James Suckling (98)
Wonderful aromas of blueberries, blackberries, mushrooms, pine and blackcurrants. Some violets, too. Full-bodied, yet so refined and polished with wonderful fruit and a linear tannin structure that integrates beautifully into the wine. It’s so balanced and beautiful. Hard not to drink now, but better after 2023.Inc. VAT£1,132.16 -
Vinous (100)
The 2018 Sloan is a flat out stunner. Rich, dramatic and full-bodied, with striking energy, the 2018 is viscerally thrilling right out of the gate. Black cherry, plum, mocha, licorice and gravel all build as this towering, statuesque Cabernet shows off its pedigree. The 2018 is simply magical, and just as breathtaking from bottle as it was as a barrel sample last year. It is the very finest Sloan I have ever tasted. I can't wait to see how it ages.Inc. VAT£1,932.73 -
(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£1,814.64 -
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) 2009Jeb 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
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Vinous (94)
Dark cherries, cloves and dusty rose lift up from the aromatically stunning 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva PS. This gains in depth and richness with time in the glass, as hints of plum sauce and sage evolve. You can feel the sheer weight of the old vines here, soaking the palate with velvety depths of spicy red and black fruits, but with a cooling wave of minty herbs. Soft, sweet tannins gain a salty and very mineral twang under an air of savory herbs and tobacco, showing incredibly long and structured yet massively dark, like a black hole of concentration. Frankly, I underestimated this wine the last time I tasted it, and I am happy to upgrade my score.In Bond£980.00 -
(6x75cl) 2010Vinous (95)
Giancarlo Pacenti’s 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Vecchie Vigne is another superb wine. The contours are more modern and the fruit leans towards the darker end of spectrum, yet all the elements are wonderfully in balance. Surprisingly open and expressive for a young Brunello, the 2010 is sure to improve with a little more time in the bottle. All of the Pacenti signatures are in place, though, and the house style is unmistakable.In Bond£790.00 -
Vinous (95)
The 2011 Brunello di Montalcino Vecchie Vigne is deep, powerful and explosive. The gravitas of the old vines and the blend of fruit that incorporates fruit from the southern end of the zone in equal parts with the north comes through loud and clear. Macerated cherries, smoke, spices, leather, licorice and French oak flesh out in a dense, stylish Brunello that captures the essence of the Pacenti house style. Drink this creamy, voluptuous Brunello over the next decade or so.In Bond£299.00 -
James Suckling (95)
Aromas of ripe fruit such as sweet strawberries and hints of orange peel and chocolate. Medium to full body, soft and velvety tannins and a flavorful finish. Riper style. Drink or hold.In Bond£278.00 -
In Bond£350.00 -
Vinous (92+)
Deep red-ruby. Spicy, earthy nuances complement the ripe red cherry, balsamic and herbal aromas and flavors; this is just a touch bigger and riper than the 2014 Brunello Pellagrilli. The finish is long and smooth; this is one of the best showings for the vintage.In Bond£676.00 -
James Suckling (100)
An incredible benchmark for Brunello with great depth, length and power. Sour cherries, flowers, dried fruit and bark. Full and layered with intense, polished tannins. Tightens at the end. Goes on for minutes. Better in the future, but always great.In Bond£329.00 -
James Suckling (97)
Such wonderful opulence and beauty. The nose shows dried flowers and minerals with blackberries and black cherries. Purity is the word. Full-bodied with incredible depth and structure and polished, silky tannins that envelop your palate. The length is really impressive. Try after 2025.In Bond£358.00 -
In Bond£298.00 -
James Suckling (99)
Black cherries, lavender, black mushrooms, lead pencil and violets on the nose. Full-bodied with a powerful and polished tannin structure that follows through to the very end. Pure, silky texture. Fascinating aftertaste of ripe fruit, yet it’s fresh and tense. Some orange peel, too. Glorious at the end. So well crafted and pointed. This needs another three to five years to integrate but already extremely impressive.In Bond£450.00 -
In Bond£755.00 -
(6x75cl) 2015Vinous (96)
The 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Vecchie Vigne bursts from the glass with a seductive array of sweet spices, minty herbs, a dusting of cacao, and dried black cherries. It is silken and voluptuous, with depths of ripe cherry-berry fruits elevated by juicy acidity as a framework of fine tannins mounts toward the close. This wine is so giving and fresh, tapering off long and structured yet still so pleasurable as hints of sour wild berries pinch at the cheeks. A fantastic showing.In Bond£587.00 -
Vinous (95)
The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Vecchie Vigne is a total pleasure to the senses. A whiff of tobacco and dried herbs complicates black cherries and hints of cedary spice. Silken in feel, it presents tart red and black fruits guided by brisk acidity, while a crisp mineral tinge adds form toward the close. It leaves a pleasantly bitter saturation of dark chocolate and a coating of fine tannins, finishing with excellent length.In Bond£328.00 -
In Bond£276.00 -
In Bond£317.00 -
(1x300cl) 2010Few wines assert their artistry with such aplomb as the Sixtine Chateauneuf Du Pape 2010. An emblem of the renowned Cuvée de la Sixtine vineyards in the Rhône Valley of France, this wine is the embodiment of meticulous craftsmanship. The region's calcareous clay terroir and dry Mediterranean climate bless this vintage with an exquisite intensity. With a predominance of classic Grenache, bolstered by Syrah and Mourvèdre, it settles beautifully in French oak barrels for twelve months before decanting.
Its deep ruby hue bespeaks opulence, emanating aromas of ripe black fruits, subtly mingled with spices and licorice. The palate is enveloped in a grand tapestry of tannins, with a spectacularly long finish. Sixtine Chateauneuf Du Pape 2010 is testament to the expertise of the Diffonty family, a venerable wine producing lineage dating back to 1673. A bold choice for discerning connoisseurs, it typifies the refinement of French viticulture.
In Bond£308.00 -
(1x75cl) 2003Wine Advocate (96+)
The 20003 was made by Martha McClellan and the viticulture looked over by David Abreu. The 2003 Sloan, if slightly less prodigious than the perfect 2002, remains a young wine. Notes of vanillin, espresso roast, blackberries, scorched earth, camphor and hints of charcoal and barbecue meat jump from the glass of this spicy, rich, provocative Cabernet Sauvignon. With a full-bodied mouthfeel, sweet tannin and adequate acidity, the blend includes 14% Cabernet Franc and 86% Cabernet Sauvignon from this extraordinary hillside vineyard above Auberge de Soleil in mid-Napa Valley. This wine is 2-5 years away from full maturity, and should last for another decade.In Bond£344.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
The prodigious 2013 Proprietary Red is a perfect, magical wine that brings to mind a great vintage of Chateau Latour with its massive, backward style. Dense plum/purple-colored, with powerful notes of crushed rocks, unsmoked tobacco, lead pencil, and blackcurrants, it is a magically opulent, pure wine that has a stacked mid-palate as well as flawless balance, giving it a rare mix of both power and elegance. The finish lasts for nearly a minute, and despite being relatively approachable today, it’s going to benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and cruise in cool cellars for 25-30 years.In Bond£1,785.00 -
Wine Advocate (98)
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2014 Proprietary Red needs a little coaxing to reveal slowly unfurling notions of warm black cherries, mulberries, redcurrants and blackberry compote with touches of licorice, tapenade, chargrill and scorched earth. Full-bodied, firm, grainy and packed with layers of black fruits and savory flavors, it has a firm, grainy backbone of very ripe tannins and tons of vivacity, finishing very long.Inc. VAT£1,672.80 -
Jeb Dunnuck (99)
Moving to the grand vin, the 2016 Proprietary Red is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon with the balance Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. Tasting like a mix of the 2013 and 2014 with its incredible elegance and power, it reveals a deep purple hue as well as extraordinary notes of crème de cassis, crushed violets, lead pencil, and unsmoked tobacco. Ethereally textured, seamless, and full-bodied, it builds incrementally on the palate and is a monster of a wine that somehow stays light, graceful and elegant. It should hit maturity after a decade of cellaring and be a 40- to 50-year wine.In Bond£1,369.00 -
James Suckling (98)
Wonderful aromas of blueberries, blackberries, mushrooms, pine and blackcurrants. Some violets, too. Full-bodied, yet so refined and polished with wonderful fruit and a linear tannin structure that integrates beautifully into the wine. It’s so balanced and beautiful. Hard not to drink now, but better after 2023.In Bond£933.00 -
Vinous (100)
The 2018 Sloan is a flat out stunner. Rich, dramatic and full-bodied, with striking energy, the 2018 is viscerally thrilling right out of the gate. Black cherry, plum, mocha, licorice and gravel all build as this towering, statuesque Cabernet shows off its pedigree. The 2018 is simply magical, and just as breathtaking from bottle as it was as a barrel sample last year. It is the very finest Sloan I have ever tasted. I can't wait to see how it ages.In Bond£1,600.00 -
(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.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£1,475.00 -
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) 2009Jeb 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

