Château Smith Haut Lafitte 2019

Château Smith Haut Lafitte is one of the Pessac-Léognan's most important wineries and, in particular due to its great wine, an excellent ambassador for the character of the wines emanating from this southern Bordeaux appellation, mineral wines, having that so characteristic flinty undertone, especially smoky in the case of this estate. Made primarily from the Cabernet Sauvignon (60-65%) variety, but with a significant amount of Merlot (25-30%), the Smith Haut Lafitte offers refinement and wonderfulness in equal measures. The wine appears a dense red colour, with an almost black hue; on the nose it's reminiscent of a basket of fresh red fruits, black fruits and spices, but it's on the palate where it really expresses its supreme magnificence: there's a sweet attack, it's very meaty, with a fine structure coated in silky tannins, it's profound and intense, yet still coming over as most pleasant, accessible... and it's one of the few great wines which even so remain on the market at relatively moderate prices. For the 2015 vintage, Château Smith Haut Lafitte is displaying a special label, commemorating the estate's 650 years in existence and the 25th vintage produced by the current owners, Daniel and Florence Cathiard.