Description

Additional information

Story

Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte has been transformed during the last decade from being a perennial underachiever to being one of the leading estates in the Graves region.

For many years it was owned by the Bordeaux négociant Eschenauer – in 1990 it was bought by former Olympic skiing champion, Daniel Cathiard. He cut down on the amount of chemicals and herbicides used in the vineyards, and fully modernized the winemaking facilities. The proportion of new oak barrels used in the maturation process was increased and a trio of eminent oenologists (including the ubiquitous Michel Rolland) were hired as consultants.

The 55 hectares of vineyards are located on a gravel ridge to the east of Château Haut-Bailly.

Le Petit Haut Lafitte is the Second wine, made from younger vines.

Specifications

Blend – 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot

Winemaking – Created during the blending process of the Grand vin, the winemaking is identical and made from younger vines. Slow fermentation in Oak barrels.

Ageing – For 14 months in French oak barrels of which 20% new, and all made on the estate

Tasting Notes

A dark deep and dense red color, leading to an expressive nose of elegant red and black fruits of cherry, raspberry, blackcurrant with aromatic herbs notes. The palate is rich and concentrated, with good acidity and smooth tannins.
Palate is aromatic and delicate with fresh fruit, Pierre a fusil, dry herb and lovely floral touch.

Critic Ratings

James Suckling – 94 points

Robert Parker – 90-92 points

The 2015 Le Petit Haut Lafitte is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. It has an intriguing bouquet, touches of shellfish, an estuarine element infiltrating the lifted black fruit, the new oak (20%) cunningly disguised. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin. There is more breeding here than the Les Hauts de Smith, more precision and mineralité conveyed by the finish. A well-crafted Pessac-Léognan, give this a couple of years in bottle and you will have a lovely wine on your hands.