2016 Le Petit Haut Lafitte
Buying options
Tasting notes
Very dark and lustrous purple. What a lovely texture! Maybe not the densest fruit but reasonably fresh fruit. Delicate hand on the hand brake. Not too much. Just lovely juice. I wonder whether the move to organic is responsible for this delightful wine? Pure pleasure almost already.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Wine Spectator
More reviews and scores
The 2016 Le Petit Haut Lafitte is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot matured in 20% new oak. It has a well-defined bouquet with mulberry, cranberry, pressed flowers and a touch of undergrowth; it is neatly defined though not powerful, but it does demonstrare commendable precision. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp and firm tannin, quite tensile and energetic (more so than the Les Hauts de Smith) with impressive structure and length on the almost Pauillac-like, graphite infused finish. Do not ignore this little gem from Château Smith Haut-Lafitte, because it always punches above its weight.
Cabernet Sauvignon takes center stage in the 2016 Le Petit Haut Lafitte. Graphite, menthol, pine, lavender and crushed rocks give notable brightness and energy, while firm, slightly nervous tannins extend the finish nicely. Savory and delineated, the 2016 will benefit from a year or two of cellaring. Even today, though, it is absolutely gorgeous
The majority of cabernet in this red delivers beautiful depth and richness. Linear and bright. Medium to full body. Racy second wine. Remake of the 2015. Mar 2017, www.jamessuckling.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.