Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte 2017
Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte 2017 is a dry, very full-bodied red from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc (Bordeaux, France), in the full, structured reds style. Tannins are firm and acidity fresh; oak influence is noticeable. Good with lamb, cheese board, steak, roast chicken. Decant for about 2 hours. Critic score 98/100 (merchant-reported).
| Wine | Sweet | Body | From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Brane Cantenac 2015 Château Brane-Cantenac · Bordeaux | £109.00 | |||
| Giscours 1996 Chateau Giscours · Bordeaux | £109.00 | |||
| Lagrange 2000 Château Lagrange · Bordeaux | £109.00 |
Cellar for 30 years or more. Decant for up to 2 hours before serving. This is a masterpiece of winemaking from the banks of the Gironde Estuary in Bordeaux. It is composed of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, all harvested from Grand Cru vineyards in the Pessac-Léognan region of Graves. On the nose, you can discover complex notes of black fruit, with accents of delicate flowers, flint minerality, and spice. Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte is one of those Bordeaux institutions, with a history dating back to the mid-18th century. Today it is owned by the Cathiard family, who renovated the estate before moving there full-time, in order to fully immerse themselves in the winemaking process. In the glass, Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte’s red is a stunningly deep colour, verging on black. It immediately strikes the palate with a perfect combination of concentrated fruits, full-body, refined tannins, and undeniably fresh acidity. It was aged for 18 months in oak barrels, 60% of which were produced in-house. Look for rich notes of blackberry, black cherry, nutmeg, smoke, liquorice, and spice. This is a wine worth savouring - it can be paired with beef-based dishes, roasted lamb, or a top-class cheese.