The 2016 Smith-Haut-Lafitte Bordeaux Blend is a standout vintage from the Pessac Leognan sub-region of Bordeaux, France. This wine, produced by Smith-Haut-Lafitte, is a complex blend composed of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot. The wine is matured for 18 months in 60% new oak and has an alcohol content of 14.3%.
Antonio Galloni of Vinous describes the 2016 Smith-Haut-Lafitte as "flat out stunning," awarding it a high score of 98. Galloni praises its rich, ample, and explosive character, noting the "tremendous energy and tension" that balance the dark, rich fruit. He highlights the "hints of lavender, spice, menthol, and crème de cassis," commending the wine's extraordinary balance and harmony.
Lisa Perrotti-Brown of Robert Parker's Wine Advocate echoes these sentiments, also rating it 98. She describes the wine's "very deep garnet-purple color" and "sensuous scents of warm black cherries, blackberry pie, star anise, and fragrant lilacs." Perrotti-Brown emphasizes the wine's rich and seductive palate, filled with "perfumed black berry preserves and superbly plush tannins," and notes its long and beautifully layered finish.
Wine Spectator's James Molesworth gives the wine a 97, appreciating its ripe flavors of "cassis, cherry preserve, and raspberry puree," and the "intense echo of pastis and sweet tobacco" on the finish. He recommends drinking it between 2023 and 2038.
James Suckling, also with a 97 score, highlights the "blackcurrant and blueberry aromas" and the wine's "full-bodied" nature with "firm and very silky tannins." He advises that it will be best enjoyed after 2025.
Roger Voss of Wine Enthusiast concurs with a 97 score, mentioning the wine's "juicy, succulent, smoky Cabernet Sauvignon" character and its long journey to maturity, suggesting not to drink it before 2025.
Neal Martin from Vinous praises the wine's "feminine and beautifully structured" palate, noting the "very fine tannin" and its potential for 30 to 40 years of drinking pleasure. He awards it a 97.
Jeb Dunnuck also rates it 97, describing it as "elegant, reserved" yet "full-bodied" with a "classic perfume of cassis, black currants, cold fireplace, wood smoke, and tobacco." He notes its potential to age well for 20-30 years.
Jeff Leve from TheWineCellarInsider.com provides an exceptional review, with a score of 99, calling it a "strong candidate for the best wine yet produced by the Cathiard family." He emphasizes the wine's "inky color," "layers of ripe fruit," and "velvet and silky texture."
Finally, The Wine Independent also scores it 99, highlighting its "deep garnet color" and "dramatic notes of crème de cassis, blueberry compote, and chocolate-covered cherries." The review praises the wine's "elegance and sophistication" and its "achingly beautiful perfume."
In summary, the 2016 Smith-Haut-Lafitte is a critically acclaimed wine, celebrated for its rich complexity, balance, and long aging potential.