Chateau Smith-Haut-Lafitte Rouge 2020
Chateau Smith-Haut-Lafitte is located in the left bank appellation of Pessac-Leognan, which lies just to the south of the city of Bordeaux. This red and dry white appellation was created in 1987 from the most celebrated area of Graves and is home to Chateau Haut-Brion and La Mission-Haut-Brion.
The appellation of Graves was established in the 1930s. A classification was established in 1953 and updated in 1959, recognising 16 Crus Classes de Graves, one of which was, and still is, Chateau Smith-Haut-Lafitte.
Earliest records of vines at the estate date back to the 14th century, but it was not until the mid-18th century, when Scottish wine merchant George Smith acquired the estate and named it after himself, that it became known as Smith-Haut-Lafitte. The estate passed through many hands, until in 1990 the Cathiard family acquired it and set to transforming it.
As Stephen Brook noted in "The Complete Bordeaux" 3rd edition, "Other rich owners have made dramatic improvements to their estates but they all pale into insignificance compared to the Cathiards." Top consultants were engaged and no expense was spared in the vineyard (organically certified in 2019) and winery. They are one of the few estate with their own cooperage (barrel making).
The results are clear when you look at reviews for a wine of this price! Simply incredible.
The label is usually yellow, however a special black label for the 2020 vintage celebrates the 30th harvest of the Cathiard family at the head the estate.
The 2020 is a blend of 65% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot, 4% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot. It's 14.5% alcohol.
This wine was purchased en-primeur and has been stored in a temperature controlled cabinet.
"Absolutely pure gold and reminding me of the 2009 (or is it the 2010?), the 2020 Château Smith Haut Lafitte sports a dense purple hue to go with incredible aromatics of blackberries, blueberries, scorched earth, wood smoke, and acacia flowers. One of the most concentrated, rich, and sexy wines in the vintage, this massive and extraordinarily opulent 2020 shows the vintage's pure, elegant profile yet backs it up with sensational levels of fruit and texture. Based on 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it already offers pleasure given its wealth of fruit, but it deserves 7-8 years of bottle age and will evolve for 40-50 years. Not enough can be said about the quality of these wines. Bravo to Florence and Daniel Cathiard, as well as to director Fabien Teitgen, for another incredible achievement."
100 points, Jeb Dunnuck, May 2023.
"Extremely fresh and deep in the nose with raspberry and blackcurrant character, as well as stone, fresh green tobacco and ink. Full-bodied with a dense center palate and gorgeous fine yet steely tannins. It calms down at the end with berries, citrus and some lavender. Salty at the end. Very minerally. Flinty. From organically grown grapes. 65% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot, 4% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot. Give it four or five years to come around."
99 points, James Suckling, May 2023.
"Deep garnet-purple in color, it storms out of the glass with powerful scents of creme de cassis, wild blueberries, and redcurrant preserves, followed by suggestions of cedar chest, charcuterie, cast-iron pan, and black truffles, with a touch of menthol. The full-bodied palate is densely laden with black fruit layers offset by mineral and red berry accents, supported by firm, grainy tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long and earthy."
98 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, March 2023.
| SKU | 1SMHTLAFROU20 |
| Brand | Chateau Smith-Haut-Lafitte |
| Shipping Weight | 1.5000kg |
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