1990 Smith Haut Lafitte
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Tasting notes
Magnum. Dark ruby with a rust rim. And colourless right at the edge. Fully evolved with some dustiness and very faint decay on the nose. Sweet and soft. Definitely on the way down with the tannins imperceptible and the acid just starting to dominate the fruit, but fun and soft and sweet. Lightly dry finish. Warm, throat-warming finish. An old wine for Brits? Lacks the punch of later vintages. (JR)
Critic scores
Average Score
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Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
New owners, plus the hiring of renowned oenologist, Michel Rolland, have already resulted in higher quality. For example, the 1990 is a surprisingly strong effort from this perennial underachiever. The color is dark ruby and the nose offers attractive, seductive aromas of sweet red fruits, vanillin, and spices. In the mouth, there is a smooth, velvety texture, fine ripeness, succulent fruit, attractive glycerin, and a heady, lush finish. This sexy, easy-to-drink Graves should provide delicious drinking for another 5-7 years.
Youthful, yet slightly one-dimensional now. Plum, berry and mineral aromas. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins, firm acidity and a medium finish. Still seems a bit closed.--1990 Bordeaux retrospective. Best after 2004. 13,000 cases made. James Suckling, Wine Spectator 2000
New owners, plus the hiring of renowned oenologist, Michel Rolland, have already resulted in higher quality. For example, the 1990 is a surprisingly strong effort from this perennial underachiever. The color is dark ruby and the nose offers attractive, seductive aromas of sweet red fruits, vanillin, and spices. In the mouth, there is a smooth, velvety texture, fine ripeness, succulent fruit, attractive glycerin, and a heady, lush finish. This sexy, easy-to-drink Graves should provide delicious drinking for another 5-7 years. Feb 1993, www.robertparker.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.