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Smith Haut Lafitte Rouge 2016 75cl

Grand Cru Classé | Graves, Pessac-Léognan | Bordeaux | France
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Critics scores
98 Robert Parker
Composed of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot and matured in 60% new oak for 18 months, the 2016 Smith Haut Lafitte has a very deep garnet-purple color, opening with sensuous scents of warm black cherries, blackberry pie, star anise and fragrant lilacs with hints of chocolate box, cigar box and pencil lead plus wafts of truffles and crushed rocks. Medium to full-bodied, rich and seductive, it completely fills the palate with perfumed black berry preserves and superbly plush tannins, finishing epically long and beautifully layered.
97 Wine Spectator
Quite ripe, with lush waves of cassis, cherry preserve and raspberry puree flavors gliding through in no hurry, but maintaining definition and cut along the way as bramble, tar and melted licorice snap notes slowly emerge throughout. The finish features an intense echo of pastis and sweet tobacco, showing serious latent grip. Best from 2023 through 2038. 8,333 cases made. — JM
Producer
Château Smith Haut Lafitte
Graves’ most characteristic estate, Château Smith Haut Lafitte sits along the most renowned gravelly ridge of the Pessac-Léognan appellation. After years under the ownership of the Bordeaux négociant Eschenauer, a former Olympic skiing champion, Daniel Cathiard and his wife, Florence bought the château in 1990. Since then, the Grand Cru Classé estate has made several improvements that continue to accrue. The Cathiards opted for a more organic viticulture method, and modernized their vinification technologies. With 78-hectares under vine, the vineyards devote 67-hectares to red varieties, and the remaining 11-hectares are planted to white. Smith Haut Lafitte Rouge remains at the pinnacle of their production. It is a lighter style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot that still packs an impressive depth. The white, Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc is also unfiltered and barrel fermented, however this wine stays true to the floral, and herbal core found at the base of this unique terroir’s production.