2014 Le Petit Haut Lafitte
Buying options
Tasting notes
Graphite, dark stone fruits, smoke, iron, tar, leather and incense are some of the notes that emerge from the 2014 Le Petit Haut Lafitte. Cabernet Sauvignon takes the leading role in a gorgeous second wine that captures the essence of this great site. A real sense of gravitas informs the powerful, vertical finish. This is another gorgeous showing from the team at Smith Haut Lafitte. The blend is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. Apr 2015, www.vinous.com
Critic scores
Average Score
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
The Le Petit Haut Lafitte 2014 is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, from a single block of Günzian gravel, the Merlot planted on a more clay block. Matured in 20% new oak, there is plenty of blackberry and blueberry fruit on the nose, with wild strawberries developing with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, a keen line of acidity, but I feel that it does not quite deliver the peacock's tail of flavors or the precision as the Les Hauts de Smith 2014. This is perhaps a little more approachable, but the Les Hauts de Smith is the killer second wine this year. Apr 2015, www.robertparker.com, Drink: 2017-2025
This has a pretty creamy texture of fine tannins and juicy fruit. Mineral and stone character. Mar 2015, www.jamessuckling.com
Has a good core of plum and blackberry fruit, with a solid coating of ganache. However, there's enough fruit here to soak that up easily, and this should be a good, forward crowd-pleaser when finished. Apr 2015, www.winespectator.com
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.