Château Smith Haut Lafitte - Rouge 2019
Price: $120.00
| Producer | Château Smith Haut Lafitte |
| Country | France |
| Region | Bordeaux |
| Subregion | Pessac-Léognan |
| Varietal | Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot |
| Vintage | 2019 |
| Sku | 015015 |
| ABV | 14.50% |
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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.
The 2019 Smith Haut Lafitte is a blend of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, 60% of which are new. Deep, opaque purple color with soaring aromas of blackberry, currant, blueberry and cherry fruit combined with oak aromas of clove, vanilla and cinnamon all underpinned by a flinty mineral note. On the palate, the wine is powerful and broad with suave, mouthcoating tannins and soft, integrated acidity that gently caresses all corners of the mouth. The finish is long and complex, delivering exceptional concentration and balance of fruit, oak and mineral flavors. Surprisingly approachable but best enjoyed over the next 7-20 years.
