2022 Le Petit Haut Lafitte
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Tasting notes
Denser and deeper than the Les Hauts de Smith, the 2022 Le Petit Haut Lafitte is a real success this year, revealing a lively, vibrant bouquet of dark wild berries, cassis, flowers and licorice mingled with delicate notes of rose. Medium to full-bodied, round and supple, it's layered and seamless and framed by velvety tannins, concluding with a long, floral finish. Perfect for gastronomy, this well-crafted Pessac-Léognan has plenty of freshness despite the dry season.
Critic scores
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Jancis Robinson MW
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
More Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated, the 2022 Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot that spent 14 months in 20% new French oak. It's even better than the Les Hauts de Smith and has gorgeous aromatics of black cherries, currants, scorched earth, tobacco, and graphite. This textured, medium to full-bodied, seamless beauty has ripe tannins, a layered, balanced mouthfeel, and a great finish. This matches, if not exceeds, the 2020.
The 2022 Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte has a delectable nose as blackberry commingle with pencil box and light smoky scents. This coheres nicely in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with more body and grip than the Le Petit SHL, and certainly more sapidity. Residual peppery notes on the finish leave the tongue tingling. Recommended.
Aromas of currants and blackberries with orange peel and rose petals follow through to a medium body with racy and polished tannins that go on for a long time. Vivid and energetic. Second wine of Smith Haut-Laffite. 60% cabernet sauvignon and 40% merlot. Give it two to three years.
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.