Château Smith Haut Lafitte
Les Hauts de Smith Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend
Pessac-Léognan, Graves, Bordeaux, France
Good balance. Not overpowering but not overly thrilling. Was also late in the night.
Good balance. Not overpowering but not overly thrilling. Was also late in the night.
Sep 12th, 20232015 vintage. An amazing year for Pessac-Léognan as demonstrated by this second wine of Smith Haut Lafitte. A 50/50 Merlot/ Cabernet Sauvignon blend, aged 14 months in barriques (20% new). Interestingly this estate has its own "tonellerie", they make their own barrels. Beautiful nose with truffles and ripe red and black fruit. In the mouth it shows serious fruit concentration, ripe tannin and great spicy length. Very charming indeed. One can imagine the quality of the "grand vin" in this vintage. Abv. 14%
2015 vintage. An amazing year for Pessac-Léognan as demonstrated by this second wine of Smith Haut Lafitte. A 50/50 Merlot/ Cabernet Sauvignon blend, aged 14 months in barriques (20% new). Interestingly this estate has its own "tonellerie", they make their own barrels. Beautiful nose with truffles and ripe red and black fruit. In the mouth it shows serious fruit concentration, ripe tannin and great spicy length. Very charming indeed. One can imagine the quality of the "grand vin" in this vintage. Abv. 14%
May 17th, 2022
A generous open at the wine bar, courtesy of TC. I felt that the wine was a little compromised - probably a 3 out of 10 on the heat stroke scale (10 being totally cooked) - but still offered plenty of character. Violets, jammy black fruits, eucalyptus, wood, and charred earth (heat damage?) on the nose. Concentrated palate of blackberries, earth, graphite, and a touch of stony minerality, as well as a particular musk and bitterness in the finish which I associate to heat damage. Ripe and round tannins. For me, the disagreeable elements did not take away from the enjoyment of the wine this time, but it may well have been the effect of great company.
A generous open at the wine bar, courtesy of TC. I felt that the wine was a little compromised - probably a 3 out of 10 on the heat stroke scale (10 being totally cooked) - but still offered plenty of character. Violets, jammy black fruits, eucalyptus, wood, and charred earth (heat damage?) on the nose. Concentrated palate of blackberries, earth, graphite, and a touch of stony minerality, as well as a particular musk and bitterness in the finish which I associate to heat damage. Ripe and round tannins. For me, the disagreeable elements did not take away from the enjoyment of the wine this time, but it may well have been the effect of great company.
Feb 18th, 2022
Still hard as nails. Let it sleep
Still hard as nails. Let it sleep
Jul 10th, 2021
Welcoming summer solstice with this elegant bdx. Smooth and nicely integrated. Classic earthiness. Left bank.
Welcoming summer solstice with this elegant bdx. Smooth and nicely integrated. Classic earthiness. Left bank.
Jun 21st, 2019
A beautiful SHL, had both the 2007 & 2010, the latter had a much better structure. Very soft tannins and an elegant finish
A beautiful SHL, had both the 2007 & 2010, the latter had a much better structure. Very soft tannins and an elegant finish
Feb 24th, 2019Solid Som rec based on my taste at Monsieur Bleu a- Palais de Tokyo. Everyone at the table enjoyed.
Solid Som rec based on my taste at Monsieur Bleu a- Palais de Tokyo. Everyone at the table enjoyed.
1 person found it helpfulMar 13th, 2017Beautifully peaking red. Silky tannin with lots of berries. Absolutely delicious pessac even for a second wine and not a great vintage. Warming up for Pessac trip and dinner at smith haut Lafite.
Beautifully peaking red. Silky tannin with lots of berries. Absolutely delicious pessac even for a second wine and not a great vintage. Warming up for Pessac trip and dinner at smith haut Lafite.
1 person found it helpfulMay 18th, 2016
A typical Cab Sauvignon!!! From an amazing vintage, this wine has a long future and should be cellared for a while to express its real character!! Lots of caramel and vanilla with raspberries and tobacco
A typical Cab Sauvignon!!! From an amazing vintage, this wine has a long future and should be cellared for a while to express its real character!! Lots of caramel and vanilla with raspberries and tobacco
1 person found it helpfulDec 26th, 2014