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Smith Haut Lafitte 2004

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Pessac-Léognan
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyCabernet Sauvignon/Merlot

View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Château Smith Haut Lafitte

Label

Tasting Notes

A sensational effort and one of the stars of the vintage, Smith-Haut-Lafitte’s 2004 possesses an inky/blue/purple-tinged color as well as a sumptuous nose of lead pencil shavings, spring flowers, blueberries, and blackberries. Surprisingly full-bodied for the vintage with stunning concentration, purity, and overall harmony, this is another brilliant wine from the proprietors, the Cathiards, who have done such a spectacular job at this estate since the early 1990s. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2022.

93
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (171), June 2007

Balanced for the vintage, with ripe fruit, fine tannins and a pretty, plummy, lightly toasted oak aftertaste. Nicely done. Not pushed, just nurtured

89/91
James Suckling, Wine Spectator (April 05), April 2005

Interesting, quite forward, evolved wine with evident oak influence. Extraordinarily supple for a 2004 at this stage - has this sample been specially prepared? It gives lots of pleasure now and there are some tannins there but not a massive intensity of fruit on the mid palate. Delicious short term drink.

17
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, August 2005

The 2004 Smith-Haut-Lafitte continues to be an impressive effort. Its deep ruby/purple color is accompanied by moderately intense aromas of black cherries, black currants, graphite, and hints of wood, minerals, and acacia flowers. Medium-bodied and elegant, with good underlying freshness, vibrancy, concentration, and balance, it should drink well young, and evolve for 15+ years.

90/92
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (165), June 2006

Another strong effort from this impeccably run Pessac-Leognan estate, the dense ruby/purple-colored 2004 exhibits a classy nose of crushed rocks, black currants, vanilla, and graphite. Medium-bodied, with good weight, a multilayered texture, fine purity, and excellent harmony, it should evolve gracefully for 15+ years.

91/93
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (158), April 2005
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.