This sensational, opaque blue/purple-colored wine from Smith Haut Lafitte has a gorgeous floral nose with notes of graphite, blueberries, blackberries, and cassis that jump from the glass of this inky, very dense, yet strikingly pure wine. Light on its feet despite its stunning concentration and multi-layered mouthfeel, this wine has fabulous intensity, richness and length. Quite impressive, and still incredibly youthful, this is a superstar of the vintage, and capable of lasting another 25-30 years. - Robert M. Parker, Jr.

A gorgeous Grave from this incredible team, the 2005 Château Smith Haut Lafitte is 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, brought up in a mix of new and used oak. More reserved and backward than bottles from my cellar, it has a rich, full-bodied, structured profile as well as classic Graves scorched earth, darker fruits, graphite, tobacco leaf, and subtle chocolate. Blockbuster stuff on the palate, with a stacked mid-palate and sweet tannins, it needs air, or another 4-5 years, to show at its full potential.

A wine that I have been lucky enough to drink several times recently, and it's tasting superb right now. Generous and welcoming, with grilled red peppers, rosemary, toasted sandalwood, cedar, liqourice, espresso, well textured tannins, sage and turmeric spice that freshens the finish and keeps you wanting more. Excellent quality from technical director Fabien Teitgen and owners Florence and Daniel Cathiard.

I had two wines on the night of my birthday this year, shared among four of us on the terrace of Rouge bar at Sources de Caudalie hotel in Martillac. The first was Château Oliver 2014, a white wine that I have long championed as being one of the best in Bordeaux. Both were beautiful, but this Smith Haut Lafitte stood out for its grace, and its generosity of spirit. A blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, the tannins were sweet, softened but still confident, rich with autumnal fruits, just the right dash of chocolate and liquorice without straying over the line. A wonderful bottle shared with some of my dearest friends, is there anything better? Oh, and the date of my birthday by the way, June 22nd. The day before the EU referendum. Somehow the year seemed more peaceful then – and it makes this wine all the sweeter. Read more at https://www.decanter.com/wine-reviews/france/bordeaux/chateau-smith-haut-laffite-pessac-leognan-bordeaux-2005-10035#kqCPukAx8iPLJGYC.99

An impressive nose of spices, dark fruits, and fresh forest flowers. Full-bodied, this has a solid core of fruit and super polished tannins. A fabulous wine, showing great structure and harmony, and a long, long finish. Beautiful stuff. Pull the cork in 2015.

Coffee, smoke, baked cherries, tar, caramel and thyme open the nose. Combining round textures with freshness, this can be enjoyed now, as you can see from the secondary notes, if you allow it an hour or two of air. But a few more years will add more softness and complexity along with additional time to integrate the oak into the wine. Read more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/search-wine-tasting-notes/?szSearch=2005+Ch%C3%A2teau+Smith+Haut+Lafitte

The Château Smith Haut Lafitte 2005 has quite a reserved bouquet, not the usual exuberant SHL-self, but it is very well defined and focused with that killer line of graphite lending it a Pauillac-like allure. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin and poise. This is a sophisticated Pessac-Leognan with real drive and penetration, a long-term wine that is reserved now but will certainly be motoring nicely along with another 5 years in bottle.

Mulled blackberry, fig and black currant fruit leads the way here, as this has a richness that imparts appeal now, while ample bay leaf, tobacco and humus accents keep this grounded through the finish. Delivers a lovely mix of sweetness of fruit and mouthwatering savory notes.—Blind '01/'03/'05 Bordeaux retrospective (December 2017). Drink now through 2030. 10,000 cases made. — JM