2019 Les Hauts de Smith
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Tasting notes
Looking at the reds, the 2019 Les Hauts De Smith is a more Merlot-dominated cuvée. A plumper, sexier, more rounded effort offering lots of darker cherry and currant fruits as well as spicy oak, graphite, and tobacco, the tannins are slightly coarser, but it's still a ripe, seamless, sexy red. Drink it over the coming decade.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Lawther MW, jancisrobinson.com
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
A Merlot-based blend distributed exclusively by Bordeaux négociant Duclot, the 2019 Les Hauts de Smith offers up aromas of rich berry fruit, cherries, bay leaf and loamy soil. Medium to full-bodied, ample and velvety, it's broad and fleshy, with a ripe core of fruit, fine tannins and lively acids. Gourmand and expressive, it is drinking well on release.
The 2019 Les Hauts de Smith presents a crisp, pure nose of black plum and red currant fruit, plus subtle undergrowth and light minty aromas. The palate is harmonious on the entry with pliant tannins and gentle grip. A little firmer on the finish than last year, albeit still offering attractive clove and black pepper notes that linger on the aftertaste. Delicious.
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.