Château Smith Haut Lafitte Rouge

Château Smith Haut Lafitte Rouge

Pessac-Léognan Grand Cru Classé 2023

Bordeaux, France

Regular price£540.00
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Case Size
Duty Status
Style: Red Drink from: 2030
ABV: % Drink to: 2050
Packaging: OWC Stock arriving: Spring 2026
Critic scores
94-96 RP, 94-96 NM, 95-97 AG, 98-99 JS, 96-96 JD, 96 JA, 94-96 LPB, 97 DC
Critic reviews
"The 2023 Smith Haut Lafitte is a brilliant wine, revealing a complex, elegantly oaky bouquet of dark wild berries, mulberries, blueberries, flowers and spices. Medium to full-bodied, seamless and rich, it has a fleshy core of fruit with good concentration and refined, structured tannins that segues into a long, penetrating and mineral finish. Crafted with an unprecedented majority of Cabernet Sauvignon—due to mildew affecting the Merlot—this Smith Haut Lafitte highlights a distinctly Cabernet-driven texture that authentically reflects its terroir despite a slightly more structured character. This blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, matured in 60% new oak barrels, represents one-third of the entire crop."
Yohan Castaing, April 2024, RobertParker.com

"The 2023 Smith Haut Lafitte comes with a label celebrating the visit of King Charles III that year, though I presume it was not his advice to include more Cabernet Sauvignon (70%). It was cropped at 26hL/ha. Matured in 60% new oak, it has a lovely bouquet with blackberry, wild strawberry, crushed violet and light oyster shell scents. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, gentle grip, fine depth and a sapid, classically lined finish. One of the more structured Smith Haut Lafittes in recent years, it deserves four or five years in bottle. Excellent."
Neal Martin, April 2024, Vinous.com

"The 2023 Smith Haut Lafitte is a powerhouse. In recent years, the Grand Vin has shifted toward a bit more nuance than in the past, but in 2023, small yields and thick skins yielded a somber, explosive Grand Vin. It will need many years to be at its most expressive. Blackberry, gravel, licorice, spice, plum and chocolate are some of the many notes that emerge from the glass. Readers will find a wine of real substance and textural intensity, framed by vibrant acids. A touch of air works wonders here."
Antonio Galloni, April 2024, Vinous.com

"Probably one of the most structured and stony SHLs I have ever had. Full yet very tight and compact palate with tannins that are like a tightly wound ball of silk. It goes on for a very long time. The cab berries were very small and they delivered a fantastic backbone of tannins, but at the same time intensity of vivid and reserved fruit. This is really long and classic in structure. The elevage in barrel will polish the fantastic, pure tannins. 70% cabernet sauvignon, 23% merlot, 6% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot. From biodynamically grown grapes."
James Suckling, April 2024, James Suckling.com

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Critics

AG
Antonio Galloni, vinous.com
AM
Allan Meadows, Burghound.com
DC
Decanter, Decanter.com
GM
Gus McLean, AbingdonFineWine.com
JA
Jane Anson, JaneAnson.com
JD
Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com
JR
Jancis Robinson, JancisRobinson.com
JS
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com
LPB
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, TheWineIndependent.com
NM
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com
RP
Various, RobertParker.com
TA
Tim Atkin, TimAtkin.com
VM
Various, vinous.com

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