Château Smith Haut Lafitte Pessac Léognan Grand Cru Classé Rouge 2018
5.0 (1)
Write a review
Named a Second Growth in Bordeaux’s legendary 1855 classification, Château Smith Haut Lafitte is an iconic, certified organic estate in the Pessac-Léognan region. From the glorious 2016 vintage, this acclaimed red will impress for decades.
Wine Details
- Red - Full Bodied
- France
- Cabernet-based blend
- 14.5% ABV
- December 31, 2040
Flavor Profile
Wine Flavor Profile
Château Smith Haut Lafitte is a medium- to full-bodied red with expressive aromas of fresh red fruit, spice, dried herbs, fennel and a slight floral nuance. The palate shows balance and concentration, with firm tannins, vibrant acidity, a pleasingly smooth texture and a lengthy, complex finish.Wine Food Pairings
Aged cheese, beef, duck, game birds, venison, pork, vegetarian.Beyond the Label
Established in the 14th century, Château Smith Haut Lafitte rose to prominence when it was included in Bordeaux’s historic 1855 classification (it was one of only 61 châteaux to be ranked as a Grand Cru Classé). Since 1990, the estate has been stewarded by the Cathiard family, under whose leadership it continues to go from strength to strength.
The 197-acre vineyard block lies in the revered Pessac-Léognan appellation and is farmed according to Château Smith Haut Lafitte’s “Bio-Precision” philosophy, which strives to let the land’s unique terroir shine through in the purity and intensity of the wines. The estate has been certified organic since 2019 and has also applied many biodynamic practices to ensure the longterm health of the vines.
Showcasing Bordeaux’s glorious 2018 vintage, this release marries Cabernet Sauvignon (60%) and Merlot (34%) with dashes of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The wine aged for 18 months in oak barrels (60% of which were new barrels produced at the estate’s in-house cooperage) with aging on its lees. It released to a wealth of serious critical acclaim, including this enticing, 98-point rating from top critic James Suckling:
“Purity of fruit here with plum and cherry aromas, as well as wet earth and spice…Very floral and vivid...layers of ripe tannins that are balanced and polished. Savory finish. Incredibly polished and refined. Goes on for minutes. One of the finest Smith Haut Lafittes I have tasted.”
Extremely limited bottles—act now to secure yours.
Critical Acclaim:
99 points, Jeb Dunnuck
98 points, James Suckling
97+ points, Wine Advocate
97 points, Wine Spectator
97 points, Decanter
96 points, Wine Enthusiast
95 points, Vinous
17.5/20, JancisRobinson.com
