A big black-cherry and bitter-chocolate nose leads into a rich, concentrated palate, where the fruit easily holds sway over the powerful, dry tannins. It’s these that drive everything along right through to the assertive, slightly earthy finish; impressive long-term stuff! Try in 2021.

This is a powerful wine, made to age for a long time, from this estate which is performing in top gear. Complex tannins and dark fruits both make their presence felt. It has weight, ripeness and a dense structure. A great success, it is unlikely to be ready to drink before 2027. ROGER VOSS

Highly charged and fully aromatic on the nose. Bright and fresh, a lovely hit of acidity which gives the blueberries and black cherries lift with clear graphite and a wet stone minerality, licks of liquorice around the sides. It's a bit tight, not so soft and expansive, but with nice detail on show. Feels like they didn't push too hard and have delivered a really enjoyable glass of wine still with subtle power underneath and a long finish. You get the impression of a bit of heat and spice here which adds nuance and structure and suggests definite further ageing potential. Not weighty but flavourful. (Drink between 2024-2042)

They know how to deliver sleek, poised and subtly gourmet wines even in the more austere vintages at Smith Haut Lafitte, and this is delicious, great quality, fine but firm tannins, opening up but still focus on primary fruits, cassis and blueberry, grilled oak, lovely stuff with a mouthwatering finish. 80% new oak, Fabien Teitgen technical director.

Clearly better in the bottle, than when last tasted in barrel, the wine has gained complexity, depth and softness. Full bodied, fleshy and concentrated, with loads of juicy, sweet, ripe, fresh, dark fruits, smoke, licorice and oak, 4-6 years of bottle age will add a lot to this already tasty wine. 95 Points Read more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/search-wine-tasting-notes/?szSearch=2014%20Ch%C3%A2teau%20Smith%20Haut%20Lafitte

This has a generous feel, with ripe fig, boysenberry and blueberry compote fruit flavors that are entwined with alluring roasted apple wood, melted licorice and warm fruitcake notes. The broad, mouthcoating finish has a terrific graphite underpinning to stay honest. Best from 2020 through 2035. 10,000 cases made. –JM

The 2014 Smith Haut Lafitte shows the elegant style of the vintage, yet the depth of fruit that’s common from this estate. Blackberries, currants, scorched earth, spicy oak and tobacco leaf nuances give way to a medium to full-bodied, beautifully textured 2014 that has ripe tannin and nicely integrated acidity. It has tons of character and is a beautiful, elegant wine to drink over the coming 15 years or so.

The 2014 Smith-Haut-Lafitte has a fragrant mulberry and strawberry scented bouquet with cedar and subtle undergrowth scents emerging with time. There is something almost Musigny-like here (written as a complement incidentally—why not be compared to the greatest Burgundy Grand Cru?). The palate is medium-bodied with a soft and mellow opening. Quite spicy in the mouth with leather-tinged fruit on the open and inviting finish, there is something very approachable about this Smith-Haut-Lafitte, though like the 2014 Pape-Clement, it contains the substance to drink well over 10-15 years. - Neal Martin

The 2014 Smith Haut Lafitte has an outgoing, opulent bouquet with high-toned red fruit infused with meat juices, an Italian deli and a few black truffle shavings. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, fresh with a peppery mid-palate. Just a little attenuation towards the finish and not quite as vivacious as four years ago; nevertheless, it is a delicious Pessac-Léognan that is drinking ideally now, though I don't feel its longevity is as long as I originally predicted. Tasted at Bordeaux Index's 10-Year-On tasting. -- Neal Martin