Jamessuckling.com | JS 99
Published: Nov 19, 2023

Extremely fresh and deep in the nose with raspberry and blackcurrant character, as well as stone, fresh green tobacco and ink. Full-bodied with a dense center palate and gorgeous fine yet steely tannins. It calms down at the end with berries, citrus and some lavender. Salty at the end. Very minerally. Flinty. From organically grown grapes. 65% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot, 4% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot. Give it four or five years to come around.

The Wine Advocate | RP 95+
Published: Apr 6, 2023
Drink: 2028-2055

The 2020 Smith Haut Lafitte is more structured and introverted than its 2019 predecessor, unwinding in the glass with aromas of cassis and plums mingled with notions of pencil shavings, violets and minty new oak. Medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, its velvety attack segues into a multidimensional mid-palate that's framed by rich, generously extracted tannins that assert themselves on the long, youthfully firm finish. This is a strong effort that's true to the house style and which will reward a little patience.

Smith-haut-lafitte.com

Yield: 30 hl/ha, prior to selection for the estate’s three wines:
Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte, Les Hauts de Smith and Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte.
Blend: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon 30% Merlot 4% Cabernet Franc 1% Petit Verdot
Winemaking: Whole grapes are fermented at 28°C in small wooden vats with very soft extraction by manual punching down.
Aging: 18 months in barrels (60% are new barrels produced in our in-house cooperage), with aging on lees. After being racked a single time, wine is aged according to its profile.
Age of vines: 48 years old

Tasting Notes from Fabien Teitgen, Winemaker:
The color of the wine is dark red, almost black with blueish hues. Very expressive on the nose with red fruits and black fruits flavors. A good swirl in the glass releases a large range of flavors and spices. Star anis, liquorice as well as empyreumatic notes and flint stones from the günzien gravels. It goes very wide and powerful on the palate at first, then the well-defined structure and smoothness of the wine gives it all its balance, fresh and full body.