Château Smith Haut Lafitte, Cru Classé Pessac Léognan, 2017

Tasting Note:

Florence Cathiard referred to the 2016 vintage as 'the catastrophe that never was… everything turned out well in the end!’ She could have copied and pasted last year's repot for the 2017 - and we could just as easily have copied our notes from last year. This is yet another very smart Smith Haut Lafitte. This estate continues to produces sexy wines, but always preserves a sense of modesty and charm. The 2017 is fashioned from 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot and will be aged in 60% new oak barrels. This is so seductive, with lavish griotte notes, perfumed cassis, hints of gravel, cedar and tobacco. The palate is awash with pure black cherry, Kirsch and crème de cassis interspersed with liquid minerals and stones. Texturally this comes into its own. There is a generosity and decadence to the fruit. It is well delineated and focussed yet broad and mouth coating with beautifully integrated velour tannins laced with pure fruit. A beautifully crafted and thoroughly enchanting Smith Haut Lafitte.