Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte Pessac Leognan Rouge 2022 750ml

Name: Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte Pessac Leognan Rouge 2022 750ml
Brand: Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte
SKU: 945247
Price: 136.59 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 97.4 (8 reviews)

Case of 6

Sample image only. Please see Item description for product Information. When ordering, the item shipped will match the product listing if there are any discrepancies. Do not order solely on the label if you feel it does not match product description.

SKU 945247

$819.54/case

$136.59/bottle

Tariffs included

Availability: This is a Long-term Pre-arrival item and is available for online ordering only. This item will ship on a future date after a 4-8 months transfer time. For more about Pre-arrival orders, see FAQ.

Pre-arrival

Case Only

Minimum order 6 bottles

DC 100pts

JD 100pts

JS 98pts

WE 98pts

TWI 97pts

WA 96pts

WS 95pts

VM 95pts

See professional reviews

Deep and evocative on the nose, bursting with blackcurrants, milk chocolate and a touch of Black Forest gateau wrapped in a sweet, purple floral perfume. The palate is instantly captivating, both silky-smooth and luxuriously thick – like padded silk – cushioned yet structured. Tannins seamlessly support a vibrant mix of red and black berries – redcurrant, cherry, blackcurrant – all interwoven with precision. Broad and powerful, yet it glides effortlessly, with Cabernet’s structure, Merlot’s generosity and a dash of spiced fruit. Underlying minerality and flint-like nuance add complexity. A masterclass in power and precision, perfectly balanced and unmistakably Smith.

Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Appellation: Graves
Sub Appellation: Pessac Leognan

Size: 750ml
Color: Red

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SKU: 945247 Categories: Left Bank Bordeaux, Pre-arrival, Product Videos

More about this item

Winery

Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte

Shop all from Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte Learn more about this producer

Varietal

Red Bordeaux

There are few regions in the world with stricter regulations in regards to wine production and grape varietals than those found in Bordeaux, France. Here, in the home of the world's finest wines, the type and quality of grapes used is of utmost importance, and the legendary wineries which work on the banks of the Gironde river have mastered the careful art of juice blending to find the perfect balance for their produce. Whilst there are six 'official' Bordeaux grapes, the two key varietals for almost every fine Bordeaux wine are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and with good reason. Whilst Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are renowned for their acidity and astringency, strong fruit and spice flavors and full body, Merlot grapes are notably rounded, soft, fleshy and lighter on tannin. The combination of these two varietals, along with a small percentage of (commonly) Petit Verdot or Cabernet Franc, is the perfect balancing act â€“ the two grape varietals cancel out each others weaker points, and accentuate all that is good about the other.

Country

France

France, often regarded as the heart of the wine world, boasts a rich history, diverse terroirs, and a captivating variety of grape varietals. From the renowned vineyards of Bordeaux to the picturesque landscapes of Burgundy, France offers a wine lover’s dream journey. Whether you’re new to the world of wine or a seasoned enthusiast looking […]

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Region

Bordeaux

Bordeaux: The Pinnacle of Terroir Expression In the illustrious realm of wine, Bordeaux stands as a beacon of excellence, where history, tradition, and terroir converge to create some of the world’s most iconic wines. Bordeaux’s rich mosaic of vineyards is characterized by the left bank, right bank, and the sweet symphony of Sauternes. Each of […]

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Appellation

Graves

Graves, a venerable appellation in Bordeaux, France, is renowned for its historical significance and the production of distinguished red and white wines. What makes Graves unique is its diverse terroir, featuring gravelly soils that not only lend the region its name but also provide excellent drainage and heat reflection, contributing to the ripening of grapes. Red wines from Graves are predominantly blends of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, offering a balanced expression of dark fruits, structure, and age-worthy potential. The appellation is also celebrated for its exceptional white wines, primarily crafted from Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. These whites showcase bright acidity, citrus flavors, and a unique flinty character. Graves is home to renowned châteaux like Haut-Brion, a Premier Cru Classé, exemplifying the region's commitment to producing wines of exceptional quality and character. Exploring Graves unveils the essence of Bordeaux winemaking, where tradition and terroir converge to create wines that resonate with history and sophistication.

Ratings & Reviews

DC 100pts

Decanter

JD 100pts

Jeb Dunnuck

Looking at the Grand Vin, the 2022 Château Smith Haut Lafitte checks in as a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot that was raised in 60% new French oak. Reminding me of a more elegant version of the 2010, it has a dense purple hue to go with a rich, powerful, full-bodied, sensationally complex nose of cassis and darker berries interwoven with woodsmoke, scorched earth, chocolate, and chalky minerality. Concentrated, deep, and layered on the palate with ripe, velvety tannins, it's a sensational, absolutely heavenly effort that will keep for 40-50 years. Along with the 2009, 2010, and 2020, this is one of the greatest wines to ever come from this address. Don't miss it.

JS 98pts

James Suckling

The vivid fruit character here is so impressive for this hot and dry vintage. It's medium- to full-bodied, showing gorgeous crushed grapes and dark berries. With density, clarity and beauty, it really speaks of great cabernet sauvignon. The tannins are integrated and go long, taking you deep and complete on the palate. 64% cabernet sauvignon, 32% merlot, 3% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot. Seems almost drinkable now but needs at least five years of bottle age. Drink after 2029.

WE 98pts

Wine Enthusiast

96-98 Barrel sample. The wine's richness is impressive. Ripe black fruits show well with acidity and a balance between the fruit and the serious structure. It is a wine that shows great fruit now but its tannins mean it will age.

TWI 97pts

The Wine Independent

This is 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, and the élevage was in 60% new oak for 18 months. An intriguing nose, dark, brooding, communicating the ripeness of the vintage but it comes with a mildly reductive, matchsticky overlay. There is a crystalline freshness to the ripe berry fruit here, the glassy currant and cranberry notes wrapped up in threads of toast, liquorice, charcoal and mineral. With time it opens out to reveal a powdery, perfumed richness that reminds me of the 2016 vintage. The palate also opens up slowly, reluctantly, but what it offers is consequential, with a ripe and polished tannic frame of impossibly tight-knit tannins, so integrated they feel like a continuous whole wrapped around the palate, and they come draped with a polished, dark and brooding blanket of fruit. A hugely seductive and imposing style, enticing but structured, this is a great Pessac-Léognan which will need a decade or two to show its best, but l expect it will drink well for several decades thereafter. Tasted twice. The alcohol on the label is 14.5%.

WA 96pts

Wine Advocate

With a somber, slightly introverted character characterized by notes of licorice, gentian, spices and dark wild berries, the 2022 Smith Haut Lafitte possesses a medium to full-bodied, concentrated and dense palate with a fleshy core of fruit and a generously extracted structure with an assertive tannic frame that requires time to mellow. Concluding with a long, dense and gentian-inflected finish, it needs time to digest its élevage and should gain harmony and balance with some time in the cellar.

WS 95pts

Wine Spectator

This delivers a warm gush of cassis, plum purée and cherry preserve flavors as it manages to capture a very polished feel with sweet tobacco, black licorice and violet notes filling in liberally. All backed by an echo of espresso crema on the lengthy and opulent finish. Almost approachable for its mouthfeel, but cellaring will be rewarded. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2026 through 2042.

VM 95pts

Vinous Media

The 2022 Smith Haut-Lafitte has another very refined and sophisticated bouquet, with discreet touches of white pepper and sage that season that black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, very well defined, with a dash of spice towards the peacock's tail finish. Very satisfying and vying for the best Pessac-Léognan in the flight. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting in London.