Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte, Pessac Léognan, 2022

This is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, with an élevage lasting 14 months in 20% new oak. A completely different nose to Les Hauts de Smith, which has all that lightly roasted Merlot fruit;this has the same intensity but now in a pure, perfumed, floral Cabernet style, touched with mint and white peach. This continues through into the palate, now joined by darker tones of liquorice, toast, tar and charcoal, with a very pure and finely knit together backbone of tannins. A remarkable wine bearing in mind it is a second label, with dark fruit, high-quality structure and great length. This is a delicious Pessac-Léognan with fine potential. Give it ten years at least. A long grip to this rather solidly built wine.

DRINKING WINDOW 2027 - 2045

date of review 06/2025

Deep plum colour, plenty of creamy fruits here, with a good dash of bitterness that adds focus and mouthwatering quality. This is again Cabernet dominant, with tension and freshness, excellent perfume as the wine unfolds and opens in the mouth. A savoury, lovely Petit Smith Haut Lafitte, shows how ripe things got in this vintage, but they are doing a great job of keeping the delivery measured, one to look out for. In the signature of the wine, all in balance. 15% new oak for ageing.

DRINKING WINDOW 2027 - 2040

date of review 03/2025

The 2022 Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte has a delectable nose as blackberry commingle with pencil box and light smoky scents. This coheres nicely in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with more body and grip than the Le Petit SHL, and certainly more sapidity. Residual peppery notes on the finish leave the tongue tingling. Recommended.

DRINKING WINDOW 2029 - 2049

date of review 02/2025