2024 Le Petit Haut Lafitte
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Tasting notes
The more Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated release, the 2024 Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. It's deep purple-hued and offers classic cassis, graphite, sappy tobacco, and violet notes. On the palate, it's medium-bodied and has a focused, elegant mouthfeel, ripe yet present tannins, and nicely integrated acidity. It's more focused and structured than the Les Hauts de Smith.
Critic scores
Average Score
Yohan Castaing, Wine Advocate
Zekun Shuai, James Suckling
More reviews and scores
A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, the 2024 Le Petit Haut Lafitte reveals a delicate, somber character with aromas of dark berries, spices, gentian and tobacco, mingled with delicate floral notes. Medium-bodied, round and sappy, it's perfectly balanced with a juicy mid-palate framed by an assertive tannic frame and a lead pencil-inflected finish. This year, the distinction between Le Petit and Les Hauts is more clearly defined than in recent vintages.
Aromas of violets, dark spices, chestnuts and dark fruit. Good ripeness, with a fresh palate full of juicy blueberries and a touch of dark chocolate. Tannins are tight but polished, with good crunchy fruit and a long finish. 60% cabernet sauvignon and 40% merlot.
The 2024 Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte was matured in 30% new oak. It has a cohesive bouquet with black cherry, bilberry and light wilted violet aromas, a tad more expressive than the Les Hauts de Smith. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins and a touch more grip due to the higher proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon, leading to a slightly tannic, graphite-tinged finish.
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.