2009 Smith Haut Lafitte
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Tasting notes
An excellent vintage here, one that saw it achieve serious recognition of the work that had been undertaken by Daniel and Florence Cathiard. In its drinking window but still young, full of plush damson and pomegranate, black cherry, cocoa bean, sandalwood, crayon, blood orange, highly impressive with a long life ahead. Harvest from September 25. 90% new oak.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Decanter
More reviews and scores
Deep crimson with so much fruit and interest. Masses of intriguing detail here in a wine that may be very slightly sweeter than perfection for some palates. (JR)
One of the vintages that saw Smith Haut Lafitte establish its dominance within the Pessac Léognan appellation, still tasting bright and full of supple, rich berry fruits. Cocoa bean, pencil lead and liqourice showcase the Cabernet dominance, this is confident, generous and just a wonderful wine, still young with many decades ahead of it.
This was the vintage that made everyone sit up and take notice of Smith Haut-Lafitte, and it is unquestionaby delivering rich, ripe, beautifully complex flavours. It's welcoming, if still young at 13 years old, and full of generous cassis and blackberry fruit, with graphite, black chocolate, smoked cedar. Plenty of tannins that cradle the fruit and suggest that, although this is now in its drinking window, it will power on for decades to come. Harvest from September 25.
About the producer
Ch. Smith Haut Lafitte is one of the leading lights of Pessac-Léognan today – all thanks to Daniel and Florence Cathiard, who took over the property in 1990 and have since transformed the estate, converting to biodynamics and crafting wines of increasing finesse.