CHÂTEAU SMITH HAUT LAFITTE Les Hauts De Smith 2019
- SKU:
- 4260842
- UPC:
- 2310062643656
93 points, "The 2019 Les Hauts de Smith has gained quite a bit of volume in élevage. Plush and expansive in feel, Les Hauts offers a striking combination of Merlot richness complemented by Cabernet Sauvignon aromatics and structure. Dried herbs, leather, liquorice, game, smoke and tobacco add layers of nuance. The 2019 should be an absolute delight in another few years' time." – Antonio Galloni, Vinous
93 points, “Very pretty aromas of sweet berries with some violets and sweet tobacco. Full-bodied with chewy tannins, as well as crushed-stone character with lavender. Medium, juicy finish. 60% merlot and 40% cabernet sauvignon. Drink after 2024.” – James Suckling
Iconic Pessac-Léognan-based producer Château Smith Haut Lafitte has two second wines. Both are exceptional but the cashmere-like Les Hauts de Smith is our personal favourite as it gives Merlot the limelight, offering an early-drinking counterpoint to the Grand Vin. Daniel and Florence Cathiard have crafted a fabulous vintage rated as “delightful” by Antonio Galloni. With gorgeously ripe red and black fruit spice and vanilla flavours, this is a seductive style of wine that’s perfect for romancing. And you can save the world while you do it because Smith Haut Lafitte farm organically and self-sustainably even following a number of biodynamic techniques.
Winemaking on the lieu-dit of Lafitte can be traced back to the 14th Century but it was bought in 1720 by a Scot called George Smith who added his name to it creating what we know today as Smith Haut Lafitte. Jump forward to 1990 and ownership fell to Florence Cathiard and her Olympic skiing champion husband Daniel. This dynamic duo drastically modernised and elevated this Grand Cru Classé in Martillac to a level that competes with its prestigious rivals further north on the Left Bank but often at a more appealing price point. On top of which, due to their pioneering stance on organic winegrowing, they were asked to present at the United Nations Climate Change Conference held in Paris in 2015. Forward-thinking business obviously runs in the family as Florence and Daniel’s daughter Mathilde Thomas-Cathiard and her husband Bertrand Thomas brought the world Caudalie, a much-loved skin care line that uses grape seeds and vine cuttings inspired by her parents’ work.
SKU No.: 4260842
Style No.: 14399
Region: Bordeaux
Grapes: Merlot,Cabernet Sauvignon
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 13%
Volume: 750ml
Allergens: Sulphites
93 points, "The 2019 Les Hauts de Smith has gained quite a bit of volume in élevage. Plush and expansive in feel, Les Hauts offers a striking combination of Merlot richness complemented by Cabernet Sauvignon aromatics and structure. Dried herbs, leather, liquorice, game, smoke and tobacco add layers of nuance. The 2019 should be an absolute delight in another few years' time." – Antonio Galloni, Vinous
93 points, “Very pretty aromas of sweet berries with some violets and sweet tobacco. Full-bodied with chewy tannins, as well as crushed-stone character with lavender. Medium, juicy finish. 60% merlot and 40% cabernet sauvignon. Drink after 2024.” – James Suckling
Iconic Pessac-Léognan-based producer Château Smith Haut Lafitte has two second wines. Both are exceptional but the cashmere-like Les Hauts de Smith is our personal favourite as it gives Merlot the limelight, offering an early-drinking counterpoint to the Grand Vin. Daniel and Florence Cathiard have crafted a fabulous vintage rated as “delightful” by Antonio Galloni. With gorgeously ripe red and black fruit spice and vanilla flavours, this is a seductive style of wine that’s perfect for romancing. And you can save the world while you do it because Smith Haut Lafitte farm organically and self-sustainably even following a number of biodynamic techniques.
Winemaking on the lieu-dit of Lafitte can be traced back to the 14th Century but it was bought in 1720 by a Scot called George Smith who added his name to it creating what we know today as Smith Haut Lafitte. Jump forward to 1990 and ownership fell to Florence Cathiard and her Olympic skiing champion husband Daniel. This dynamic duo drastically modernised and elevated this Grand Cru Classé in Martillac to a level that competes with its prestigious rivals further north on the Left Bank but often at a more appealing price point. On top of which, due to their pioneering stance on organic winegrowing, they were asked to present at the United Nations Climate Change Conference held in Paris in 2015. Forward-thinking business obviously runs in the family as Florence and Daniel’s daughter Mathilde Thomas-Cathiard and her husband Bertrand Thomas brought the world Caudalie, a much-loved skin care line that uses grape seeds and vine cuttings inspired by her parents’ work.
SKU No.: 4260842
Style No.: 14399