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B-21 Top Recommendation
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A rare and exciting opportunity to acquire top vintages from the renowned Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte of Pessac-Leognan declared “among the best in the appellation” by Inside Bordeaux’s Jane Anson, all earning 95 plus pt. ratings including multiple 100 pt. perfect scores and some already aged over 10 years in pristine cellar conditions, offered at value pricing and available in original wooden cases.
Located on the outskirts of the city of Bordeaux in the Left Bank commune of Martillac, the exquisitely restored 14th century Château Smith Haut Lafitte is a destination in itself, earning a rising reputation for the remarkable quality of the Grand Vin since acquired by Florence and Daniel Cathiard in 1990. Implementing a mix of age-old techniques with state-of-the-art technology, the biodynamically farmed 87-hectare vineyard is plowed with horses while employing advanced satellite imagery to determine optimal ripeness, planted mostly to Cabernet Sauvignon on deep gravel soils covered with quartz pebbles. Produced under the direction of top consultants including Michel Rolland and Stephane Derenoncourt, the Grand Vin is aged for between 16 to 18 months in mostly new French oak barrels custom-crafted on-site at Smith Haut Lafitte, the only Chateau outside of the First Growths boasting its own cooperage.
Described as the “vintage that made everyone sit up and take notice of Smith Haut Lafitte” by Jane Anson, the powerful 100 pt. 2009 SHL offers rich, ripe fruit with stunning depth, while the lustrous 98 pt. 2010 SHL is “gorgeous” according to the Wine Spectator’s James Molesworth poised to continue evolving over two more decades, available in both 750 ml and magnums for cellaring. Both at outstanding pricing, the muscular 95 pt. 2012 SHL is “perfectly balanced, complex, super-rich and pure” according to the Wine Advocate and the 98 pt. 2014 SHL is summed up as “impressive long-term stuff!” by James Suckling, ready to enjoy now. Jeb Dunnuck calls the opulent 99 pt. 2015 SHL “brilliant stuff readers should snatch up” and Antonio Galloni of Vinous declares the harmoniously balanced 100 pt. 2016 SHL “flat out stunning.” The bargain priced 97 pt. 2017 SHL is described by the Wine Enthusiast’s Roger Voss as “elegant and powerful, dense and poised” that “will age impressively” while the powerful 99 pt. 2018 SHL is “incredibly polished and refined” according to James Suckling, declaring it “one of the finest Smith Haut Lafittes I have tasted.”
Describing Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte’s vintages over the last decade at a retrospective tasting in April 2022, Decanter’s Yohang Castaing sums them up as displaying “aromatic brilliance and suave, fleshy textures framed by tannins of remarkable finesse,” an unbeatable combination mirroring First Growth quality. Whether choosing a favorite or two or mixing a case, all of these outstanding selections from Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte guarantee Bordeaux lovers and collectors years of evolution and enjoyment, now priced well below their pedigree and delivering top value. |
99JS #4 Top 100
99WI
98JD
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Intense blackberry and graphite character coming out of the glass, together with dried violets, ink and some asphalt. Full-bodied with wonderfully integrated tannins that spread across the palate and then draw you deep into the wine. Lead-pencil and blackcurrant aftertaste. Tightly wound with a cashmere-like texture. A whole and thought-provoking wine. Try after 2028 and beyond.
99 points, James Suckling (Mar 2022)
#4 - James Suckling Top 100 of 2012
The 2019 Smith Haut Lafitte Rouge comes from terroir composed of 60% gravel and 40% clay and is a blend of around 2/3 Cabernet Sauvignon and 1/3 Merlot with a splash of Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple colored, it needs considerable swirling to unlock notes of blackcurrant preserves, stewed plums, and juicy blackberries, with hints of candied violets, licorice, espresso, and tapenade, plus wafts of crushed rocks and wood smoke. Full-bodied, rich, and opulent in the mouth, it has very firm, super-ripe, fine-grained tannins and bold freshness to support the voluptuous, mineral-accented fruit, finishing very long and achingly perfumed.
99 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Independent (Apr 2022)
Reminding me a little of the 2009, the 2019 Château Smith Haut Lafitte has a rich, powerful style in its cassis, blueberry, and black raspberry fruit as well as its chalky minerality, smoked earth, tobacco, and lead pencil shaving-like aromas and flavors. A blend of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot, this rich, unctuously textured beauty has terrific concentration, sweet tannins, and the vintage's hallmark elegance and finesse. One of the most concentrated, powerful wines in the vintage, it needs 4-5 years of bottle age (or a healthy decant) and will evolve for 30+ years if stored properly. Not enough can be said about what proprietors Daniel and Florence Cathiard, as well as winemaker Fabien Teitgen, continue to achieve at this estate.
98 points, Jeb Dunnuck (Apr 2022)
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