Château Smith Haut Lafitte Pessac-Léognan - Rouge 2019
- we98
- jd98
- v96
- ws95
Category | Red Wine |
Varietals | |
Brand | Château Smith Haut Lafitte |
Origin | France, Bordeaux, Pessac-Léognan |
Alcohol/vol | 14.5% |
Château Smith Haut Lafitte is a Graves Grand Cru Classé in the Pessac-Léognan appellation within Bordeaux. The name of the estate comes from its original owners, the Du Bosq family, who in 1365 planted the vines on a gravelly plateau known as a “Lafitte”, and from George Smith, a Scotsman who owned the property in the 18th century. Further down the line, Daniel and Florence Cathiard acquired the estate in 1990, investing considerable time, money and effort into upgrading the vineyards and the winery and ― rare for a Bordeaux Château ― introducing a barrel maker on-site, which allows them to make over 70% of their oak barrels! Today, Smith Haut Lafitte is one of the leading producers of organic and biodynamic farming and winemaking, encouraging biodiversity as well as maintaining its own nursery to propagate their vines.
Wine Enthusiast
- we98
Rich in black fruits with a structure that acts as a support. Acidity and blackberry flavors with hints of black coffee and a core of denseness that is very fine. The wine will age well, drink from 2026. Organic and biodynamic.
Jeb Dunnuck
- jd98
Reminding me a little of the 2009, the 2019 Château Smith Haut Lafitte has a rich, powerful style in its cassis, blueberry, and black raspberry fruit as well as its chalky minerality, smoked earth, tobacco, and lead pencil shaving-like aromas and flavors. A blend of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot, this rich, unctuously textured beauty has terrific concentration, sweet tannins, and the vintage's hallmark elegance and finesse. One of the most concentrated, powerful wines in the vintage, it needs 4-5 years of bottle age (or a healthy decant) and will evolve for 30+ years if stored properly. Not enough can be said about what proprietors Daniel and Florence Cathiard, as well as winemaker Fabien Teitgen, continue to achieve at this estate.
Vinous
- v96
The 2019 Smith Haut Lafitte is a dense, explosive wine. Super-ripe dark cherry, plum, mocha, new leather and licorice all saturate the palate in a wine that balances unctuous texture and structure. The 2019 is an opulent Smith Haut Lafitte that is going to need a few years to shed some baby fat. It is a powerhouse to be sure. Dried herbs, leather, tobacco, incense and graphite lend striking savory nuance throughout.
Wine Spectator
- ws95
A broad, rich and caressing wine, with a lovely display of cassis, plum puree and blackberry pate de fruit notes. There's form thanks to a buried alder note, along with sweet tobacco and iron accents on the finish. A strong showing. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2024 through 2036. 10,000 cases made, 2,400 cases imported.