Producer Profile
Area under vines: 78 hectares
Soils: Gravelly soil from the Gunzian
Average age of the vines: 38 years
Planting density: 7500 to 10 000 vines/ha
Production: 120 000 bottles a year for red wine. 38 000 bottles of white.
Ageing: in 60% new oak barrels for 18 to 20 months
Grape varieties:
- Cabernet Sauvignon 60%
- Merlot 30%
- Cabernet Franc 9%
- Petit Verdot 1%
The Chateau makes two other wines:
- Les Hauts de Smith :
- Grape varieties:
- Merlot 55%
- Cabernet Sauvignon 45%
Le Petit Haut Lafitte :
Grape varieties:
- Cabernet Sauvignon 55%
- Merlot 45%
Learn more about Château Smith Haut Lafitte
here
Tasting Notes
JancisRobinson.com 17.0
Complex aromas – hints of undergrowth, pencil lead, red fruit beginning the process of sweet vinous decay. Fine but leathery tannins, more mineral on the palate. Fragrant and fresh with subtle persistence. (JH) [05/05/2011]
Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025
Robert Parker 95
One can’t say enough about this winery, which may still fly under the radar of most consumers. The fully mature 2000 displays gorgeous aromas of camphor, lead pencil shavings, unsmoked tobacco, plums, and black currants. With full body, a velvety texture, and beautiful weight, richness, and length, this superb wine should evolve, possibly improve for another 15 years. It’s a beauty! [Robert M. Parker, Jr., 29/06/2010]
Vinous 90+
Good full ruby. Roasted red and black fruits, smoke and licorice on the nose. Powerful, even a bit aggressive, with less sweetness and subtlety than the subsequent vintages. Finishes with big, chewy, ripe tannins and lingering notes of tobacco and leather. Very Graves in style. This appears to be in the process of shutting down in the bottle. [Stephen Tanzer, 05/01/2003]
