A much quieter day from Bordeaux so just catching up on the last of yesterday’s important releases. Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte has released a monumental red in 2015 which confirms it as one of the Graves’ finest wines of the vintage.
Its 95-97 point score from Neal Martin puts it alongside the appellation’s other key chateaux, Pape Clement, Domaine de Chevalier and Haut Bailly, and amongst the leading wines produced across the whole of Bordeaux in 2015.
“a sophisticated and powerful Smith Haut-Lafitte that should age in splendid fashion” Neal Martin, Score: 95-97
“Full and sexy. Joy to taste” James Suckling, Score: 97-98
“superb. Dark, powerful and towering, the 2015 exudes richness and a level of intensity in all directions that is remarkable” Antonio Galloni, Score: 93-96+
“Right up there with the best Left Bank reds in 2015” Tim Atkin MW, Score: 96
As one of the most polished and sophisticated wines produced in 2015, for me, this is an easy recommendation to make. It also happens to be priced attractively versus recent successes, 2010 (current market value £980 IB) & 2005 (£920 IB).
Ch Smith Haut Lafitte Cru Classé Pessac-Léognan 2015
£625 per 12 bottles IB | £635 per 6 magnums (150cl) IB
This has an exuberant, oak-kissed nose followed by a palate filled with fine, grippy tannins. A real fistful of concentrated black fruits, it culminates in a long and sustained finish. Goedhuis, Score: 92-94
It has a very intense, blueberry and crème de cassis scented bouquet, a touch more opulent than its peers with hints of freshly shucked oyster shell developing with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with filigree tannin couched in gorgeous, satin-textured black cherry and cassis fruit, tinged with cedar and pencil shavings. It lingers very long and sensually in the mouth, completing a sophisticated and powerful Smith Haut-Lafitte that should age in splendid fashion. Neal Martin, Score: 95-97
This is a very polished and precise young wine with beautiful depth and intensity. Full and sexy. It shows blueberry and black currant character with walnut and chocolate undertones. The tannins have a lovely texture. Joy to taste. James Suckling, Score: 97-98
The 2015 Smith Haut Lafitte is superb. Dark, powerful and towering, the 2015 exudes richness and a level of intensity in all directions that is remarkable. This is an especially dark, brooding Grand Vin built on serious depth, intensity and structure, and yet there is more than enough richness in the fruit to balance things out… I won’t be surprised at all if the bottled wine comes in at the top of this range. Antonio Galloni, Score: 93-96+
Right up there with the best Left Bank reds in 2015, this is the latest in a line of impressive releases from Smith-Haut-Lafitte. Grassy, aromatic and herbal, with blueberry and blackcurrant sweetness, tangy acidity and a core of serious, well integrated tannin embellished by stylish, perfumed oak. Drink: 2025-35 Tim Atkin MW, Score: 96
