<object width="425" height="350"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/yf0gBnwlNHY"> </param> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/yf0gBnwlNHY" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"> </embed> </object> A dark red core leads to a bright ruby rim with hints of violet. Very dark fruit aromas of boysenberry and blackberry are supported by hints of roast coffee and a touch fresh mint. Dark and concentrated on the palate with the mint carrying through from the nose and leading the palate to lush cool blackberry plum and cassis followed by lighter roast coffee notes on the mid-palate. Full bodied front to back with great depth and lingering fruit on the finish. One of the stronger wines from Pessac in 2006.

Tasted at Bordeaux Index's annual 10-Year On tasting in London. The 2006 Château Smith Haut-Lafitte has an intriguing bouquet with surprising mineral intensity coming through the pure blackberry and cassis fruit. The oak here is beautifully assimilated. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, a keen line of acidity, quite structured in the mouth, but that mineralité continues right to the finish that attenuates ever such a little. This is a thoroughbred Pessac-Léognan for the vintage. Tasted January 2016. - Neal Martin

In a landscape in the Graves that is getting thinner and thinner in terms of traditional wines, it is wonderful to see Smith Haut Lafite going in the opposite direction of so many of its neighbors and making better wines today than it did a generation ago. The nose on the 2006 rouge is excellent, as this classic middleweight offers up an excellent blend of plums, cassis, bitter chocolate, herb tones, soil and a judicious framing of vanillin oak. On the palate the wine is medium-full, suave and silky, with a solid core of fruit, lovely focus and balance, modest tannins and fine length and grip on the poised and intensely flavored finish. Lovely juice. (Drink between 2016-2035)