Fantastic — 8 days ago
Dried berries, strawberry preserves, black pepper, espresso, bittersweet chocolate, and llicorella. Tastes of rose petal infused black tea, raspberry preserves, strawberry jam. — 8 days ago
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of dinner. The 2021 pours a deep garnet color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of black cherry, espresso, black tea, dried herbs and gentle warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. Drink now with patience but, to my palate, I think this will be better with a few more years in the cellar so the oak can better integrate. This is built to last well past 2041. — 20 days ago
A very nice experience drinking this. Might have been a touch better 5-10 years ago around the 15-20 year mark (and was great around ‘08-‘12) but despite a disintegrated cork is still a very nice wine with a beef dish. Have one more of the ‘01 and will have to open it within the next year. — 2 days ago
2005 delicious! — 4 days ago
Château Smith Haut Lafitte 2023 – Pessac-Léognan, BDX France 🇫🇷
Overview
A beautifully balanced Pessac-Léognan red blend of Merlot 55%, Cabernet Sauvignon 42% , Petit Verdot 2% and Cabernet Franc 1% that delivers finesse, aromatic complexity, and immediate approachability while maintaining classical structure and aging potential. A textbook expression of modern-classic Pessac harmony.
Aromas & Flavors
Blackcurrant, blackberry, ripe plum, and dark cherry layered with cedar, graphite, cocoa nib, tobacco leaf, crushed gravel, and subtle floral lift. The fruit feels vibrant and pure with beautifully integrated oak and savory mineral nuance.
Mouthfeel
Medium-to-full bodied with finely polished tannins and excellent balance between freshness and density. Silky entry, energetic mid-palate, and a long, clean, gently savory finish. Elegant rather than massive, delivering precision and drinkability without sacrificing depth.
Food Pairings
Grilled ribeye, lamb chops, duck breast, mushroom-based dishes, herb-roasted poultry, aged hard cheeses, and classic French bistro fare. Equally rewarding with refined meals or elevated casual cooking.
🍷 Personal Pick
This is exactly the kind of Pessac that keeps you reaching for another glass, delicate yet layered, polished yet expressive, and dangerously easy to enjoy young. Immediate gratification today, with the structure and balance to reward cellaring down the road. A beautiful testament to classical Pessac elegance done right.
Did You Know?
Château Smith Haut Lafitte is known for its gravel-rich soils in Pessac-Léognan, which drive freshness, mineral tension, and aromatic lift in both red and white wines, helping maintain balance even in warmer vintages. — 3 days ago
Bloody hell! Rich, powerful, complex, balanced and fresh.
Complex on the nose; chocolate, fruitcake, blackcurrant, tobacco.
Bright, fresh and well structured on the palate with load of rich red fruit.
Fabulous — a month ago
Good pizza wine — 15 days ago
Ericsson
Love these Rioja Gran Reservas, they can be enjoy now or cellared for another decade. Always ready to be savored. — 11 days ago