2019 Smith Haut Lafitte
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Tasting notes
Love the SMHL aromas - Very bloody, iodine-y nose, cassis, menthol – bright lifted and complex. Fantastic concentration of fruit, really fleshy and full of dense refined, fully resolved tannins which builds detail and texture in the mouth and a wonderful layering on the palate. The fruit is exceptionally clean, concentrated and beautifully fresh whilst at the same time pushing the limits of ripeness (very classic SMHL in style). This is exceptional, very well balanced, even-set, expansive in structure. The density of tannins, the concentration of fruit and the fresh acidity gives this wine fantastic ageing potential. Excellent.
Critic scores
Average Score
Decanter
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
A softer structure and texture than the 2018 - precise, skilful. At this point the team at Smith Haut Lafitte barely put a foot wrong, meaning the character of the vintage might be different, but not the quality that you find in the glass, nor the confidence that you can have in opening and sharing it with friends. The same signature are here - graphite, crayon, slate-textured tannins, Cabernet Sauvignon character and signature, and a ton of joy alongside.
The 2019 Smith Haut Lafitte is one of the Cathiards’ greatest triumphs in recent years. It is noticeably deep in colour. The aromatics burst from the glass—blackberry and flecks of blueberry, a veil of dark chocolate that emerges with time. It shows much less red fruit than a bottle in 2023 exhibited, instead more similar to a bottle I encountered in 2021. This is still on the oaky side, telegraphing that it’s in for the long haul. The palate is structured and exerts insistent grip, though simultaneously feels precise and focused as it reveals layers of black fruit tinged with black olive and rosemary. Again, the 2019 is certainly on the youthful side, bright and quite grippy. I would cellar bottles another four to five years to appreciate what will be a Smith Haut Lafitte in full flight. Outstanding.
59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot. Dark purplish crimson. Fragrant with small, wild blackberries. So scented. Super-dry and very fine tannins. Still very tight on the palate, barely open but elegant. Deliciously dry. (JH)
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.