Château Smith Haut Lafitte

Grand Cru Classé Pessac-Léognan Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

9.460 ratings
9.417 pro ratings
Pessac-Léognan, Graves, Bordeaux, France
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc
Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Pasta, Venison, Tomato-Based, Potato, Pork, Chocolate & Caramel, White Rice, Mushrooms, Beef, Lamb, Chili & Hot Spicy, Salami & Prosciutto, Exotic Spices, Baking Spices, Herbs, Chicken, Pungent Cheese, Turkey, Soft Cheese, Beans & Peas, Hard Cheese, Duck, Blue Cheese
Top Notes For
Andrew S

Really drinking well. Deep fruit, nice balance. Held its own in a strong new world line up as the ringer. Plant of time left as the tannins have something time to go, but with a 5-6 hour secant was beautiful.

Really drinking well. Deep fruit, nice balance. Held its own in a strong new world line up as the ringer. Plant of time left as the tannins have something time to go, but with a 5-6 hour secant was beautiful.

May 24th, 2020
Peter van den Besselaar

Vintage 2010 / dusty smell, a lot of power, high in alcohol, not my style of wine.

Vintage 2010 / dusty smell, a lot of power, high in alcohol, not my style of wine.

Dec 17th, 2019
Shawn R

Hitting on all cylinders.

Hitting on all cylinders.

Oct 23rd, 2017
LM Segal

The nose is the only thing restrained about this excellent SHL. Shades of graphite, light red berry. After an hour decant, a seamless, velvety liquorice and blue-black fruited palate, perfectly extracted. Several at the table were guessing high-end Napa. A brilliant, sexy and voluptuous wine that’s just coming out of its shell. Destined for cellar greatness. Kudos to Eric and the team at Michael’s on the Hill, Stowe, VT. This feels like the great fooderies of Napa 20 years ago - brilliant, friendly and unpretentious.

The nose is the only thing restrained about this excellent SHL. Shades of graphite, light red berry. After an hour decant, a seamless, velvety liquorice and blue-black fruited palate, perfectly extracted. Several at the table were guessing high-end Napa. A brilliant, sexy and voluptuous wine that’s just coming out of its shell. Destined for cellar greatness. Kudos to Eric and the team at Michael’s on the Hill, Stowe, VT. This feels like the great fooderies of Napa 20 years ago - brilliant, friendly and unpretentious.

1 person found it helpfulJul 21st, 2018
Darren Guillaume

Great wine, great year. They made a mistake when they didn't classify the white.

Great wine, great year. They made a mistake when they didn't classify the white.

1 person found it helpfulMay 5th, 2016
Dave Kluz

Massive and dense, though still polished. Black fruits, charcoal and anis. Floral and blueberry notes with great complexity.

Massive and dense, though still polished. Black fruits, charcoal and anis. Floral and blueberry notes with great complexity.

1 person found it helpfulOct 5th, 2014
Tom Higgins

Owner/Winemaker Heart & Hands Wine Company

8.8

Pomegranate, cassis, vanilla and açaí push from the nose to the tongue with incredible balance and grace and super tight tannins. Give another 10+ years.

Pomegranate, cassis, vanilla and açaí push from the nose to the tongue with incredible balance and grace and super tight tannins. Give another 10+ years.

1 person found it helpfulJun 24th, 2014
Eric Egan

Well heeled, deep and dense; nose of violets, blackcurrents, and leather but quite plain; tannins are quite forward and thick and the fruit is a little uninspiring. Given the reviews this was underwhelming - a pleasant drink but nowhere near Parker's 98pts. I suspect the emperor may be wearing fewer clothes than he thinks...

Well heeled, deep and dense; nose of violets, blackcurrents, and leather but quite plain; tannins are quite forward and thick and the fruit is a little uninspiring. Given the reviews this was underwhelming - a pleasant drink but nowhere near Parker's 98pts. I suspect the emperor may be wearing fewer clothes than he thinks...

Nov 2nd, 2015
Tom Kobylarz

Huge, surprised it has not shut down but is just the opposite. Make no mistake this is a baby with a ton of stuffing but is happy to express it's fruit and glycerin charms now. One of my favorites from the #ugc10.

Huge, surprised it has not shut down but is just the opposite. Make no mistake this is a baby with a ton of stuffing but is happy to express it's fruit and glycerin charms now. One of my favorites from the #ugc10.

Mar 18th, 2015
Susan Lin

Business Development Belmont Wine Exchange, WSET Diploma candidate

9.5

Beautiful, smooth texture and most elegant while decidedly structured. Bramble, cassis, dark cherries with light licorice, graphite, and Darjeeling tea. Spicy, peppery edge on the finish with earth and tobacco, eucalyptus. There was less fruit on the palate yet enough layers of complexity, and this didn't detract from the wine's overall power and finesse.

Beautiful, smooth texture and most elegant while decidedly structured. Bramble, cassis, dark cherries with light licorice, graphite, and Darjeeling tea. Spicy, peppery edge on the finish with earth and tobacco, eucalyptus. There was less fruit on the palate yet enough layers of complexity, and this didn't detract from the wine's overall power and finesse.

Feb 9th, 2015