Château Smith Haut Lafitte

Les Hauts de Smith Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend

9.09 ratings
9.03 pro ratings
Pessac-Léognan, Graves, Bordeaux, France
Red Bordeaux Blend
Chili & Hot Spicy, Potato, White Rice, Mushrooms, Pasta, Pork, Salami & Prosciutto, Pungent Cheese, Lamb, Tomato-Based, Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Beef, Hard Cheese, Venison
Top Notes For
Stefan Dolhain

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%

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
Aaron Tan

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
Willie Carter

I do love second labels. Usually terrific values and excellent wines, they are definitely go to purchases.

Deep dark burgundy with light cherry flecks. An exquisite nose featuring blackcurrant, smoke, and licorice. Oak and rose petals entice. This, of course, requires proper aeration which reveals some additional notes of earth, mushrooms, and green peppers.

Blended simultaneously as its prestigious older sibling, there is definitely a level of elegance and refinement here that’s a bit uncommon for many second label bottles. A Left Bank beauty, this is half Cabernet Sauvignon/half Merlot aged 14 months in French oak. The palate follows the nose closely with more earth notes and blue fruits. A soft vegetal quality in the mouth. Medium long finish with nice spice leaves you wanting more and more and more.

I do love second labels. Usually terrific values and excellent wines, they are definitely go to purchases.

Deep dark burgundy with light cherry flecks. An exquisite nose featuring blackcurrant, smoke, and licorice. Oak and rose petals entice. This, of course, requires proper aeration which reveals some additional notes of earth, mushrooms, and green peppers.

Blended simultaneously as its prestigious older sibling, there is definitely a level of elegance and refinement here that’s a bit uncommon for many second label bottles. A Left Bank beauty, this is half Cabernet Sauvignon/half Merlot aged 14 months in French oak. The palate follows the nose closely with more earth notes and blue fruits. A soft vegetal quality in the mouth. Medium long finish with nice spice leaves you wanting more and more and more.

Aug 2nd, 2023
Francisco Tezen

Dark berry fruits and earthy flavors that give way to spice and mint on the finish.

Dark berry fruits and earthy flavors that give way to spice and mint on the finish.

Aug 27th, 2018
Maxence Guilluy

Maxence had this 2 years ago

Maxence had this 2 years ago

Sep 11th, 2022
Steve Haro

Steve had this 3 years ago

Steve had this 3 years ago

May 30th, 2021
Qian Qian Tang

Qian had this 6 years ago

Qian had this 6 years ago

Jul 18th, 2018
Anton G

Anton had this 7 years ago

Anton had this 7 years ago

Apr 20th, 2018
Justin Chiotti

Justin had this 7 years ago

Justin had this 7 years ago

Nov 24th, 2017