2016 chateau smith haut lafitte, rouge cru classe, pessac-leognan
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Why We're Buying
Bo Jackson. Donald Glover. Château Smith Haut Lafitte. Whatever they try, they excel. In the case of Château Smith Haut Lafitte, it’s a master of red and white wine. The red blend has a grand cru classé rating and is the third most sought-after wine from the Pessac-Léognan appellation, according to Wine-Searcher.com.
Critics Scores
Decanter
A brilliant wine, one of the best ever at this property. Straight from the first nose you feel an added dimension and aromatic complexity to this bottle. The diversity of flavours tumbles out on the attack, from brambled autumnal fruits to tighter, fresher black cherry and cassis notes. The body is deeply coloured, full of life and pleasure, with rich, deep cassis and high but generous alcohol that's not intrusive but showing through in the smooth texture. It was great En primeur and is even better today. 1 Petit Verdot finishes the blend.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Composed of 65 Cabernet Sauvignon, 30 Merlot, 4 Cabernet Franc and 1 Petit Verdot and matured in 60 new oak for 18 months, the 2016 Smith Haut Lafitte has a very deep garnet-purple color, opening with sensuous scents of warm black cherries, blackberry pie, star anise and fragrant lilacs with hints of chocolate box, cigar box and pencil lead plus wafts of truffles and crushed rocks. Medium to full-bodied, rich and seductive, it completely fills the palate with perfumed black berry preserves and superbly plush tannins, finishing epically long and beautifully layered.
Jeb Dunnuck
Moving to the reds, the 2016 Château Smith Haut Lafitte checks in as 65 Cabernet Sauvignon, 30 Merlot, 4 Cabernet Franc, and 1 Petit Verdot that spent 18 months in 60 new oak. It’s undeniably a more elegant, reserved style from this estate, yet it still offers full-bodied richness and depth, with a classic perfume of cassis, black currants, cold fireplace, wood smoke, and tobacco. Deep, nicely concentrated, seamless, and, again, incredibly elegant, it’s going to flesh out nicely with short-term cellaring and keep for 20-30 years.
Wine Spectator
Quite ripe, with lush waves of cassis, cherry preserve and raspberry puree flavors gliding through in no hurry, but maintaining definition and cut along the way as bramble, tar and melted licorice snap notes slowly emerge throughout. The finish features an intense echo of pastis and sweet tobacco, showing serious latent grip. Best from 2023 through 2038.
James Suckling
The blackcurrant and blueberry aromas are lifted and beautiful. Lots of flowers, too, together with some mushroom and dried-flower undertones. Full-bodied with firm and very silky tannins giving a lovely texture. Bright acidity lifts the finish and gives it drive and force. Better after 2025
Wine Enthusiast
This hugely dense wine is complex and full of juicy, succulent, smoky Cabernet Sauvignon. The tannins are at the service of the fruits. The wine still has a long way to go before maturity. Don’t think about drinking it before 2025.