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Château Smith Haut-Lafitte Pessac-Léognan

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot

  • Alc. 14.0%

  • Bordeaux

  • France

Member $306.39
Retail $382.99
Retail Sale price $382.99
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Description

"The 2016 Smith-Haut-Lafitte is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot that was picked between 29 September and 19 October at 35 hectoliters per hectare. It is being matured in 60% new oak for a total of 18 months. "We have never been so proud of our Cabernet Sauvignon," winemaker Fabien Tietgen told me. Now, this has a much subtler bouquet than recent vintages, you could argue, more intellectual than the 2015 Smith-Haut-Lafitte. First there are aromas of blackberry, briary and just a hint of iodine, then underneath that, marine-like aromas such as freshly shucked oyster shells, pressed flowers and a touch of brown spice. There is wonderful delineation here. The palate is medium-bodied with plenty of tightly-wound black fruit, intermingling with smoke, black pepper, spice box and a touch of bay leaf. This is an extremely precise Smith-Haut-Lafitte, certainly a cerebral 2016 that might well be approachable young, yet will certainly age in consummate style. The château's own tasting note reads "What more could one possibly want from a wine?" The answer to that is: "Another bottle." from Neal Martin, The Wine Advocate (04/2017).

Pairing

Charcuterie board with hard cheeses.

Aromas and Flavours

Blackberry

A little sweet, a little tart, this black fruit is rather quiet but persistent.

Plum

Sweet, fruity and sensual, similar stone fruit aromas to a peach, but without the 'fuzziness'.

Spice

Warm, sensuous, exotic, fragrant, aromatic-like the first whiff of clove.

Pepper

A whiff of a freshly used pepper grinder - spicy and fresh, without the itchy nose.

Smoke

Reminds you of singing songs by the campfire on a beautiful summer evening.

Handling and Serving
Cellar
2023 - 2043