Château Smith Haut Lafitte, Grand Cru Classé, Pessac Léognan, 2015

If you thought we've been a bit disparaging about the Pessac Leognan appellation, this should balance things out a bit. In addition to the wonderful range at Haut Brion, Domaine de Chevalier, Smith haut Lafitte and Haut Bailly have also got it spot on. Fabien Teitgen, the talented Technical Director at Smith Haut Lafitte presented his wines with an air of confidence. As well he might, the red captures the vintage to perfection. Its regal bouquet fills the glass with noble aromas of loganberry, mulberry, toast and violets. The palate is equally sumptuous with oodles of black liqueur fruit, tobacco smoke and crème de mûre. There is pleasing acidity that lends freshness and a mouth-watering quality; one is left with flavours of wild strawberries and thimbleberry on the seductive tannins. A real vin de garde. 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.