2016 Les Hauts de Smith
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Tasting notes
The Merlot-heavy 2016 Les Hauts de Smith is plusher and more easygoing, with ample cherry and currant fruits, hints of dried herbs and graphite, medium body, and a pretty, gulpable, delicious style. Drink it over the coming 7-8 years.
Critic scores
Average Score
Neal Martin
James Suckling
More reviews and scores
The 2016 Les Hauts de Smith, which is matured in 20% new oak, has a lifted, quite floral, nonchalant bouquet of black cherries and a touch of boysenberry. The palate is well balanced with crisp acidity, a little chewiness that imparts a sense of rusticity, and a seaweed note lending some complexity on the Cabernet-driven finish. Very fine.
Fresh currant and cherry aromas with hints of flowers. Full-bodied, very tight and firm with silky tannins and a beautiful, long finish. Lively and vivid. Second wine of Château Smith Haut Lafitte. Mostly merlot with some cabernet sauvignon. Drink after 2022.
The 2016 Les Hauts de Smith is pliant, racy and inviting. This Merlot-based wine offers tons of early accessibility and sheer appeal. Super-ripe red cherry, raspberry, mint, rose petal and dried flowers add grace throughout. A range of striking floral/savory Cabernet Sauvignon aromatics add complexity, while the Merlot is felt in the wine's fleshiness.
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.