Tasting Notes

Colour: Medium to deep garnet-purple
Nose: Charges out of the gate with bold expressions of warm redcurrants, baked blackberries and crème de cassis with hints of spice cake, dried roses, underbrush and pencil lead plus a waft of candied violets.
Palate: Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a fantastic core of densely packed red and black fruits, framed by wonderfully ripe, rounded tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and perfumed. (WA)
Grape Varieties: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot
Aging: Aged 16 months in 60% new French oak
Awards: 97pts – James Suckling; 97pts – Wine Advocate-Parker; 97pts – Vinous; 95-97pts -Wine Enthusiast; 96pts – Jeb Dunnuck; 94pts – Decanter; 91-94pts – Wine Spectator

History of Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte

Château Smith Haut Lafitte is located in Pessac-Léognan on the Left Bank of the Garonne River. During the 1959 Classification of the Graves it was rated as Grand Cru Classé for its red wine. Nowadays the estate is also considered to produce one of the foremost examples of white Bordeaux. Grapes have been grown on the site since 1365. Smith Haut Lafitte takes its name from the gravel plateau first cultivated in 1365 (and known as Lafitte) and 18th Century owner George Smith, a Scottish wine merchant. He built the manor house on the site in Pessac-Léognan. In 1958, it was purchased by the Louis Eschenauer company, which invested into the winery and its vineyards. Since 1990, the property has been owned by Florence and Daniel Cathiard. The château is unrelated to first growth Château Lafite Rothschild, despite the similarities in the name.

Cabernet Sauvignon usually accounts for 60-65 percent of the red grand vin. Merlot contributes around 30 percent, and small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot round out a typical blend. The wine is aged in barrel for around 18 months, with 60-65 percent new wood.

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