2011 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
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Tasting notes
Served at cool room temperature that seems absolutely right. Deep gold and rich textured. Great aplomb in terms of a combination of richness and acidity with playfulness on the palate. A certain smokiness and some green fruits as well as that lanolin texture but no oak in evidence. Has lived longer than I originally predicted. Rich initially and then still tightly and refreshingly laced towards the end. Great stuff! Quite long. (JR)
Critic scores
Jeannie Cho Lee MW
James Suckling
More reviews and scores
Tasted blind. Light, fresh, minerally fruit and a pretty dry finish. Appetising and far from heavy with good persistence. (JR)
The 2011 Smith Haut Lafitte plays in the same ballpark as the 2014, yet is slightly more concentrated, as well as backward. Blackcurrants, cedar, licorice and hints of oak all emerge from this medium to full-bodied, elegant, impeccably balanced beauty. It needs another year or two and will shine for over a decade.
Tasted blind. Only mid crimson. Some opulence and confidence here. Bone dry but with enough fruit to support it. Serious wine. (JR)
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.