Cory Gowan, JJ Buckley, April 2012

59% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot, 10% cabernet franc, and 1% petit verdot from 67 hectares. This is aged for 18 months in 60% new barrels. Known as the "quintessential Graves" wine, Smith-Haut-Lafitte comes from one block of gravel soil and has been owned by the Cathiard family since 1990. They use horse-drawn ploughs, maintain their own cooperage, and use compost and plant extracts to treat the vineyards with organic methods. The color is a shiny translucent red. Perfumed aromas are dominated with mineral aromas. Soft on entry, with a lovely salinity, flavors of spice show up on the mid-palate, ending in a tarry finish. Medium body with good texture. Tasted four times. Enjoy 2017-2030.

92 -93 points,

James Suckling, jamessuckling.com, 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.

92 -94 points,

Neal Martin's Wine Journal, April 2012

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.

91 -93 points,

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, April 2012

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.

90 -93 points,

Stephen Tanzer's IWC, May 2012

Opaque purple-ruby. Superripe aromas of blackberry, blackcurrant and graphite. Bright, fresh and juicy, with sneaky concentration to the black fruit and mineral flavors. The finish is long and pure, with enticing notes of minerals and cedar. A more refined Smith Haut Lafitte than usual, very well done.

92 -95 points,

Wine Spectator, April 2012

Offers pure, driven plum, cassis and black cherry notes inlaid with graphite and roasted wood spice. Dense without being overextracted. Very sleek. Rock-solid.-J.M.

About Winery

The noble Bosq family started growing grapes here as early as 1365. The property was purchased in the 18th century by Scotsman George Smith, who gave the estate its present name.

In 1990, Daniel Cathiard fell in love with the property and joined the list of prestigious owners, firmly intending to further enhance Smith Haut Lafitte's tradition of excellence. He combined the most modern winemaking techniques and age-old methods: organic compost, small wooden vats, ageing on the lees in barrel, etc. 

According to Robert Parker, "One can't say enough about what proprietors Daniel and Florence Cathiard have accomplished at this estate since 1990. ..They have fashioned one of the most consistently outstanding wines, both white and red, over the last two decades."
(The Wine Advocate, April 2010)
 
Famous around the world for its wonderfully elegant red wine and the sophisticated bouquet of its white wine, Smith Haut Lafitte undoubtedly deserves the special care that is lavished on it.

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