The 2022 Smith-Haut-Lafitte is a Bordeaux Blend wine that hails from the renowned Pessac Leognan sub-region of Bordeaux, France. With its deep, inky color, this red wine immediately captures attention and invites further exploration. The nose is a captivating bouquet of spice, cigar wrapper, blackberries, black currants, flowers, wet earth, and smoke. It takes a slight effort to fully appreciate the complexity of aromas, but once they unravel, they create a mesmerizing olfactory experience.
On the palate, this wine exhibits remarkable purity in its fruit, showcasing elegance and lift. However, what truly stands out is the incredible width that the wine possesses, caressing every part of the palate with its silky textures and richness. The finish is the ultimate seal of excellence, demonstrating real staying power as it lingers for over 50 seconds.
The craftsmanship behind this wine is evident in its production process. The grapes were harvested from September 5 to September 30, with yields intentionally kept low at 28 hectoliters per hectare. The blend consists of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot. After fermentation, the wine is aged in 60% new French oak barrels for 18 months, allowing it to develop further complexity and depth.
Renowned wine critics have already praised this vintage. Jeff Leve from TheWineCellarInsider.com awarded it an impressive score of 100 points, describing it as possibly the best vintage of Smith Haut Lafitte ever produced. Other critics, such as Jeb Dunnuck, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, James Suckling, Jane Anson, Vinous, and Decanter, also bestowed high scores ranging from 95 to 98 points. Their tasting notes highlight the wine's structure, concentration, density, balance, and exceptional purity.
With its phenomenal qualities and potential for aging, the 2022 Smith-Haut-Lafitte is a wine that demands attention and admiration. It is recommended to drink this exceptional vintage from 2027 to 2055 to fully experience its evolution and complexity.
