Château Smith Haut Lafitte, Grand Cru Classé, Pessac Léognan, 2020
This was our highest scoring wine of the UGC tasting, and very impressive it was too – a real taste of luxury! Fabien Teitgen explained that they “Picked small, dense and concentrated grapes with very rich concentration of tannin.” They had to “pay strong attention to delicate extraction to preserve the balance of wine and avoid excess of tannin.” There’s a wonderful expressive bouquet of griotte, pressed raspberries, rose petals, cherry pit, Asian spice, blood orange, tobacco and sweet oak. Opulent, yet controlled on the palate, this is ambitious and generous, packed with a velvety core of black cherry and cassis. Layers of vibrant fruit wash over the palate; refined tannins give shape and energy to the sustained gravelly, stony finish. Another wonderful Smith Haut Lafitte. 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot.
critic reviews
The 2020 Smith Haut-Lafitte has a relatively straightforward bouquet with notes of forest floor, tree bark and black fruit. Scents of crushed stone and sandalwood emerge with time. The palate is medium-bodied with a lightly spiced entry, very cohesive and putting on weight toward the finish. I suspect that the nose is just closing up a little, hence my prudent score, but the palate is indicative of potential. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.
The 2020 Smith Haut Lafitte is more structured and introverted than its 2019 predecessor, unwinding in the glass with aromas of cassis and plums mingled with notions of pencil shavings, violets and minty new oak. Medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, its velvety attack segues into a multidimensional mid-palate that's framed by rich, generously extracted tannins that assert themselves on the long, youthfully firm finish. This is a strong effort that's true to the house style and which will reward a little patience.
The 2020 Smith Haut Lafitte Rouge is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple in color, it storms out of the glass with powerful scents of creme de cassis, wild blueberries, and redcurrant preserves, followed by suggestions of cedar chest, charcuterie, cast-iron pan, and black truffles, with a touch of menthol. The full-bodied palate is densely laden with black fruit layers offset by mineral and red berry accents, supported by firm, grainy tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long and earthy.
product details
you may also like
2010 · Red Wine · Cab Sauvignon Merlot
Château Smith Haut Lafitte
Château Smith Haut Lafitte, Cru Classé Pessac Léognan
Case 12 x 75 cl£1,546.25
Inc Duty & VAT
2022 · White Wine · Semillon Sauvignon Blanc
Château Smith Haut Lafitte
Château Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc, Pessac Léognan
Case 6 x 75 cl£719.50
Ex Duty & VAT
2020 · Red Wine · Cab Sauvignon Merlot
Château Smith Haut Lafitte
Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte, Pessac Léognan
Case 6 x 75 cl£161.12
Inc Duty & VAT
