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Château Smith Haut Lafitte 2018

Château Smith Haut Lafitte

2018
97+
PARKER
17.5
JANCIS ROBINSON
98
SUCKLING
99
DECANTER

Other bottle sizes and vintages

£253.45

/ 0.75 L btl
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Spec sheet

TypeRed wine
Region
Grapes
Producer
AllergensContains sulfites
Alcohol contenti13.0%

The wine

Château Smith Haut Lafitte is one of the Pessac-Léognan's most important wineries and, in particular due to its great wine, an excellent ambassador for the character of the wines emanating from this southern Bordeaux appellation, mineral wines, having that so characteristic flinty undertone, especially smoky in the case of this estate.

Made primarily from the Cabernet Sauvignon (60-65%) variety, but with a significant amount of Merlot (25-30%), the Smith Haut Lafitte offers refinement and wonderfulness in equal measures. The wine appears a dense red colour, with an almost black hue; on the nose it's reminiscent of a basket of fresh red fruits, black fruits and spices, but it's on the palate where it really expresses its supreme magnificence: there's a sweet attack, it's very meaty, with a fine structure coated in silky tannins, it's profound and intense, yet still coming over as most pleasant, accessible... and it's one of the few great wines which even so remain on the market at relatively moderate prices.

For the 2015 vintage, Château Smith Haut Lafitte is displaying a special label, commemorating the estate's 650 years in existence and the 25th vintage produced by the current owners, Daniel and Florence Cathiard.

Drinking and storing

Serve between 16ºC and 18ºC

Ratings and awards

202098-100 PK17+ JR99-100 SK
201996-98+ PK17.5 JR96-97 SK
201897+ PK17.5 JR98 SK99 DC
201797+ PK17 JR97 SK95 DC
201698 PK17+ JR97 SK100 DC
201597 PK17 JR99 SK98 DC
PK: ParkerJR: Jancis robinsonSK: SucklingDC: Decanter

Wine critics reviewsReviews by Parker, Jancis Robinson, and Suckling

Composed of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot and matured in 60% new oak for 18 months, the 2016 Smith Haut Lafitte has a very deep garnet-purple color, opening with sensuous scents of warm black cherries, blackberry pie, star anise and fragrant lilacs with hints of chocolate box, cigar box and pencil lead plus wafts of truffles and crushed rocks. Medium to full-bodied, rich and seductive, it completely fills the palate with perfumed black berry preserves and superbly plush tannins, finishing epically long and beautifully layered.

— Lisa Perrotti-Brown (30/11/2018)Robert Parker Wine Advocate Vintage 2016 - 98 PARKER

Very dark garnet indeed and quite a bit of evolution on the nose. Sweet, mellow start with lots of pleasure and flattery built in. No shortage of ripe tannin either! Still a long way to go.

— Jancis Robinson (20/10/2021)JancisRobinson.com Vintage 2016 - 17+ JANCIS ROBINSON

The currants and blackberries on the nose are very impressive with wet-earth and lavender undertones. Full body and super-integrated tannins that melt into the wine. The quality of the tannins is incredible with fantastic length and mouthfeel. So much concentration and balance at the same time. Such beauty. From biodynamic grapes. This is the greatest wine ever from here. Drink in 2022.

— James Suckling (17/10/2019)JamesSuckling.com Vintage 2015 - 99 SUCKLING

Customer reviews

5.0/5
1 review
Vintage:

Winemaking

Ageing periodBetween 18 and 20 months
Barrel ageMayoritariamente nuevas
Type of woodFrench oak

The winery

Château Smith Haut Lafitte

Château Smith Haut Lafitte

Château Smith Haut Lafitte is one of the most important Pessac-Léognan wineries and an excellent ambassador for the character of the wines emanating from this southern Bordeaux appellation. Held in high regard due to the exceptional nature of its terroir and the elegance and profundity of its wines, Smith Haut Lafitte also has the virtue of marketing its products at relatively moderate prices. The estate looks back on a long history and owes part of its name to a Scottish...

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