critic reviews
More serious and structured than the Hauts de Smit, reflecting the larger proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend, the 2020 Le Petit Haut Lafitte reveals aromas of cassis, plums, bay leaf and smoke, followed by a medium to full-bodied, layered and incisive palate framed by youthfully chalky tannins.
The 2020 Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte Rouge is composed of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. Deep garnet-purple in color, it leaps with youthful notes of fresh blackcurrants, black cherries, and mulberries, giving way to notions of cedar chest, crushed rocks, and cumin seed. The medium to full-bodied palate is coated with ripe, seductive black fruits, supported by rounded tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and earthy.
Supple velvety tannins set the scene here, adding depth and texture to the cassis and bilberry fruits, lovely edge of sage, orange peel and cocoa powder. More serious than Les Hauts de Smith, this has clear ageing capacity. 30% new oak. An upscore from En Primeur.
The 2020 Le Petit Haut Lafitte has held on to its Pomerol-like bouquet with blackberry, boysenberry, chalk and light sous-bois scents. Nicely focused. The palate is well balanced with quite firm, edgy tannins, touches of licorice infusing the black fruit, a little austere towards the finish though with adequate freshness. Fine.