| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Pessac-Léognan |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Château Smith Haut Lafitte
The grand vin, the 2011 Smith-Haut-Lafitte is another great successes (and that's saying something after the remarkable duo of 2009 and 2010 as well as the brilliant 2008). This wine exhibits a dense purple color along with a big, sweet nose of creme de cassis, mulberries, licorice and subtle background oak. Full-bodied with silky tannins, nicely integrated acidity, wood and alcohol, a multilayered mouthfeel, and a finish that lasts 45 seconds, this brilliant wine should drink well for 15-20 years.
One of the best run estates in Bordeaux, Smith-Haut-Lafitte's owners, the Cathiard family, has produced a beautiful second wine in 2011.
A wine that has a beautiful depth of fruit, with currants, minerals and dried flowers on the nose and palate. It's full-bodied, with super-integrated tannins that last for minutes. This is muscular yet polished. Extremely well done for the vintage. Better in 2017.
The 2011 Smith Haut Lafitte plays in the same ballpark as the 2014, yet is slightly more concentrated, as well as backward. Blackcurrants, cedar, licorice and hints of oak all emerge from this medium to full-bodied, elegant, impeccably balanced beauty. It needs another year or two and will shine for over a decade. 2020 - 2035
Surprisingly perhaps, this was year in which the red from this stylish property outshone the white. This is quite forward for a 2011, with supple, well-managed tannins, flavours of fruitcake, chocolate and cassis, fine grained tannins and plenty of texture. Like the 2004, this subtle wine will age well. 10+ years.
Well-extracted cassis fruit, slight gamey edge that adds character, firm fruit with a tobacco leaf lift. An elegantly concentrated palate with a good future. Drink 2015-2030
An impressive effort, this 2011 exhibits a dense saturated ruby/purple color along with lots of graphite, black currant and camphor notes, medium to full body, and surprising depth, richness and length. Tannins are present, but they are relatively sweet and unobtrusive. A crisp character gives the wine vibrancy as well as impressive delineation. It should drink well for 15+ years.
The Smith Haut Lafitte is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc aged in 60% new oak. The harvest (for the red) was between 15th September and finishing with the Cabernet Sauvignon and 30th September and it represents 39% of the crop. It has a lifted bouquet with ripe blackberry, cassis, black olive and fruits de mer with fine delineation. With continued aeration there is just a hint of violet. The palate is beautiful, very dense and concentrated with superb delineation and wonderful purity and minerality towards the finish. It is very long in the mouth. Excellent. N.B. This does not include the full vin de presse. Tasted April 2012.
Perfumed and very pretty with delicate spices, berries and flowers. Medium to full body, with ultra fine tannins and a lovely finish. Balanced and delicious. Not a big wine but shows finesse.
