Presentation
The exemplary elegance of Smith Haut Lafitte's red wines is renowned worldwide.
Terroir
Le terroir a une si forte personnalité qu'il a donné son nom à la région : « Les Graves ». Ces graves sont un amoncellement de terres alluvionnaires, sableuses, caillouteuses déposées sur un sous-sol calcaire tertiaire par les rivières tumultueuses et les glaciers du début de l'aire quaternaire, qui ont été ensuite remodelées en croupe par l'érosion. A Smith Haut Lafitte, le sol est composé de l'une des rares croupe de graves gunziennes, épaisse et de couleur ocre, caractéristique de sa richesse en oxyde de fer. Ce sol est très qualitatif pour la viticulture car il est à la fois drainant, très pauvre, chaud en surface tout en maintenant une certaine fraicheur et humidité en profondeur (argile ou calcaire).
Winemaking
Following double sorting before and after destemming, the grapes are vinified as whole berries, with partial use of whole clusters. Extraction is achieved through gentle punch-downs and/or pump-overs. Long macerations continue at 26–28°C, with durations tailored to each vat in order to preserve the wine’s balance and precision.
Ageing
18 months in barrels (50% are new barrels produced in our in-house cooperage), with aging on lees. After being racked a single time, the wine is aged according to its profile.
Varietals
Cabernet-sauvignon : 68%
Merlot : 27%
Cabernet franc : 4%
Petit verdot : 1%
Specifications
Yield : 28 hL/ha
Age of vines : 49 years old
Tasting
«This wine displays a deep, dark red color. The first nose reveals a beautiful freshness of ripe fruit: red berries (cherry, raspberry), black fruit (wild blackberry), and a hint of blackcurrant. With aeration, the wine unveils its tremendous aromatic potential, combining these fresh fruit notes with more delicate aromas of flowers (peony), sweet spices (fennel seed, star anise, fenugreek, mountain hay…), before revealing a darker dimension of graphite, pencil lead, and warm earth, bringing remarkable complexity.
The palate opens with a surprisingly fresh attack, supported by a beautifully soft and caressing texture. The mid-palate is all finesse and delicacy at first, before expanding with restrained power and a superb structural framework. It is focused, full-bodied, dense, with impressive length and outstanding harmony. A perfectly balanced wine, marked by great precision, vibrant freshness, and remarkable energy.
On the palate, one finds again the complexity revealed on the nose, with crunchy fruit, very delicate floral notes, and spices that beautifully enhance the finish.
A magnificent vintage for Château Smith Haut Lafitte, destined to stand among the estate’s benchmark wines.»
Reviews
James Suckling
Jeb Dunnuck
Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux
Vinous