Château Smith Haut Lafitte 2021

The freshness and aromatic richness of a great red wine from Pessac-Léognan

The estate

Located in the heart of the Pessac-Léognan appellation and dating back to 1365, Château Smith Haut-Lafitte is one of the oldest estates in Bordeaux. This magnificent property of Grâces has entered a new era in its history, following its acquisition by Daniel and Florence Cathiard in 1990. The Cathiards manage Chateau Smith Haut Laffite with great passion and ambition, having elevated the property to the rank of the most beautiful properties of Graves with wines renowned worldwide for their class and style, both in red and in white.

The vineyard

With a superb location in the Pessac-Léognan appellation, the Château Smith Haut Lafitte vineyard covers 78 hectares of vines, which are 40 years old on average. The château uses its own vine plants from a mother vine preserved in their nursery on the island of Lalande.

Vinification and ageing

Following the harvest, the grapes are destemmed and sorted before being vatted by gravity and undergo whole-grape vinification in small vats with gentle extraction by regular punch-downs. Fermentation with indigenous yeasts, followed by 18 months of ageing in barrels (60% new) from the estate’s in-house cooperage.

The blend

Cabernet Sauvignon (63%)

Merlot (33%)

Cabernet Franc (3%)

Petit Verdot (1%).

Château Smith Haut Lafitte 2021: Characteristics and tasting tips

The tasting

Colour

This wine showcases an intense ruby colour.

Nose

Complex and fresh, the nose blends fruity fragrances (raspberry, strawberry, blackberry, blackcurrant) with notes of sweet spice (star anise), liquorice sticks and tobacco leaf.

Palate

Perfectly balanced, the attack is particularly fresh and lively. The palate is seduced by this wine’s concentration, its texture and its vivacity. The palate is persistent, exuding fruity and spicy aromas (star anise) along with notes of cigar box and smoke. This vintage is alluringly complex and fresh and has a smooth mouthfeel.