2022 Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte, Cru Classé Pessac-Léognan

Tasted April 2023. 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot. 14.5% abv. Fragrant and pure, this has a lovely elegance and lots of complexity at this early stage. Inky black berry fruit, licorice, pepper, woody herbs and espresso. Focused and energetic, there's a stony freshness and firm tannins and breadth of flavour on the rich, mineral finish.

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Case of 6 x 75cl

0

in basket

Wine specification

Producer
Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte
Colour
Red Wine
Sweetness
Dry
Region & Country
Graves, Bordeaux, France
ABV
14.5%
Maturity
Young 2030 – 2050
Style
Still Wine

Product Description

Critic Scores

97/100 – Jane Anson, janeanson.com

08/05/2023

Inky colour, with vivid vibrant edging, curling and fragrant floral aromatics, plenty of energy from the first kick of peony and mandarin peel. The rich density of the blue and black fruits are set against slate and grippy tannins, giving textural contrast which makes it engaging, together with a saline scrape on the finish. Blueberry, cassis, ink, liquorice root, graphite, pink grapefruit, intensely expressed with a vertical rise through the palate, very much true to estate signature. 29hl/h, 3.65ph, 10% whole bunches fermentation, using a mix of full bunches and stalks that they select after destemming. 33% 1st wine, 4% press used in the blend, harvest September 5 to 30. Fabien Teitgen technical director.

96-98/100 – Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com

01/05/2023

Moving to the Grand Vin, the 2022 Château Smith Haut Lafitte checks in as 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot. This ripe, powerful, concentrated wine reminds me of the 2010 with its structure, concentrated mid-palate, and just sheer density and regal, full-bodied style on the palate. Despite its size, it stays balanced, has a beautiful perfume of sweet black fruits, graphite, scorched earth, and spring flowers, building tannins, and a great, great finish.

94-95/100 – Yohan Castaing, Wine Advocate , Issue #266

28/04/2023

The 2022 Smith Haut Lafitte opens in the glass with attractive aromas of cassis, spices, tobacco, graphite and licorice, followed by a medium to full-bodied palate that is deep and layered, with good depth and powdery structuring tannins that assert themselves on the finish. This blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot will require some patience, given its somewhat extracted style.

97-98/100 – James Suckling, jamessuckling.com

19/04/2023

The polish, texture, complexity and patina are very impressive and fascinating. So spicy and interesting with so much going on. Medium body with wonderfully integrated tannins that are cut and nicely chiselled already. Lemon and violet. 64% cabernet sauvignon, 32% merlot, 3% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot.

95-97/100 – Antonio Galloni, vinous.com

01/04/2023

The 2022 Smith Haut Lafitte is a regal, elegant wine. Succulent inky fruit, licorice, spice, lavender and mocha open in a gracious, sublime Grand Vin. Here, too, the wine’s persistence and energy are notable. The Cabernet is especially evident this year, in both the wine’s flavor profile and overall structural feel. In many vintages, the Grand Vin is more immediate and alluring. The 2022 is quite reticent.