Château Smith Haut Lafitte

Pessac- Léognan Cru Classé
CB-Classification, 2^nd Grand Cru Classé

2021 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
APR 22 63% 33M 3CF 1PV Ruby. Cassis, blackberries, some vanilla, nuanced nose, layered. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, cassis, detailed and nuanced, intense, long finish. 13,5% alcohol. 95-97

2021 Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte
APR 22 60CS 40M Ruby. Blackberries, cassis, dark fruits, some vanilla and spices nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, spices, juicy, blueberries, detailed and nuanced, long finish. 13,5% alcohol. 92-94

2021 Les Hauts de Smith
APR 22 60M 40CS Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, blueberries, fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, spices, liquorice, firmer, nuanced, good length. 88-90

2021 Château Smith Haut Lafitte blanc
APR 22 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, lemons, nuanced, some vanilla and spices, detailed nose. Fresh acidity, apples, lemons, minerals, detailed, nuanced, bright and elegant, creamy yet vibrant, long finish. 94-96

2021 Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte blanc
APR 22 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, lemons, citrus, nuanced, fairly detailed nose. Fresh acidity, apples, peach, lemons, some vanilla, creamy yet vibrant, long finish. 91-93

2021 Les Hauts de Smith blanc
APR 22 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, peach, fresh, fruit driven nose. Fresh acidity, peach, apples, lemons, minerals, nuanced, good length. 88-90

2019 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
APR 22 59CS 36M 4CF 1PV Ruby. Cassis, blackberries and spices, dark fruits, rich nose, coffee and liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice, some coffee and vanilla, long finish. 97

2019 Château Smith Haut Lafitte blanc
APR 22 90SB 5S 5SG Pale lemon yellow. Apples, some lemons, minerals, nuanced and detailed nose, layered and intense, floral towards roses behind. Fresh acidity, detailed, energetic, creamy, layered and nuanced, citrus, intense, somewhat smoky, minerals, intense, this is one serious white wine, long. Beautiful concentration. A stunning SHL white. 97

2018 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
APR 22 60CS 34M 4CF 2PV Ruby. Blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice, dark fruits, intense nose, some vanilla. Medium acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, anise, spices, intense, blackberries, rich and dense, coffee and plums, long finish. 96

2018 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
APR 19 60CS 34M 4CF 2PV Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, dark berries, vanilla, detailed, scented, nuanced, violets nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, juicy, detailed and layered, nuanced, superb balance, long. 96-98

2018 Le Petit Haut Lafitte
APR 19 Ruby. Spices, exotic notes, blueberries and spices, liquorice and anise, layered. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, juicy with structure behind, detailed, nuanced and long. 91-93

2018 Les Hauts de Smith
APR 19 Ruby. Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, dark fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blueberries, juicy, dark berries, soft and smooth, good length. 88-90

2018 Château Smith Haut Lafitte blanc
APR 22 90SB 5S 5SG Pale straw yellow. Peach, yellow apples, pears, vanilla notes, some spices, intense nose. Fresh acidity, apples, pears, ripe lemons, touch of grapefruits and orange peel, peach, minerals, nuanced, long finish. 94

2018 Château Smith Haut Lafitte blanc
MAR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, vanilla, fruity, detailed, elegant nose, bit more subdued than some this vintage on the nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, apples, detailed, some spices, beautiful texture, nuanced, long. Beautiful effort. So elegant! 93-95

2018 Le Petit Haut Lafitte blanc
APR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Light fruity, apples, some vanilla and spices nose. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, apples, elegant texture, good length. 88-90

2018 Les Hauts de Smith blanc
APR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, minerals, fresh, some spices, citrusy nose. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, citrus and pears, minerals, lovely salinity, good length. 87-89

2017 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
APR 22 60CS 35M 4CF 1PV Ruby. Cassis, blackberries, anise, spices, dark fruits nose, nuanced and scented. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice, detailed, firm and long. 96

2017 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
APR 18 Ruby. Blackberries, floral, fruity, detailed, intense nose, layered. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, intense, detailed, layered, minerals, some spices, long. Beautiful. 94-96

2017 Château Smith Haut Lafitte blanc
JUN 22 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, lemons, minerals, detailed, nuanced, fruit driven, bright nose, layered. Fresh acidity, apples, lemons, minerals, detailed, nuanced, bright and detailed, long, lovely balance. 95

2017 Château Smith Haut Lafitte blanc
APR 22 90SB 5S 5SG Pale lemon yellow. Apples, lemons, nuanced, detailed, minerals, some vanilla, citrus nose, candied lemons. Fresh acidity, intense, fruit driven, energetic and precise, minerals, citrus and vanilla, long finish. So detailed! Stunning! 96

2017 Château Smith Haut Lafitte blanc
APR 22 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, almonds, some citrus, fruit driven nose, intense and detailed. Fresh acidity, apples, leach, fruit driven, nuanced, intense, rounded and long. 94

2017 Château Smith Haut Lafitte blanc
APR 18 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, citrus, nuanced, floral, elegant nose, yellow fruity. Fresh acidity, fruity, fresh, lively, detailed, elegant texture, playful, juicy, lovely balance, long. 94-96

2016 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
APR 17 Ruby. Fruity, red berries, cassis, vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, spices, refreshing, elegant, textured, long. 92-94

2016 Château Smith Haut Lafitte blanc
JUN 22 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, peach, vanilla, fruit driven, intense, spices, detailed nose, layered. Fresh acidity, rounded, detailed, fruit driven, quite intense, nuanced and long. 94

2016 Château Smith Haut Lafitte blanc
APR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apricots, vanilla, spices, some grapefruits, quite detailed nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, apples and grapefruits, leaner bodied, quite bitter finish, was this a perfect bottle? Not up to a bottle a week or so ago. 91

2016 Château Smith Haut Lafitte blanc
MAR 19 Pale lemon yellow. Fruit driven, grapefruits, pears, touch tropical and orange blossoms nose, some vanilla. Fresh acidity, fruity, intense, rounded and creamy, layered, long finish. 94

2016 Château Smith Haut Lafitte blanc
APR 17 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, fruity, vanilla, lemons, ripe nose, peach. Fresh acidity, fresh, fruity, rounded, lemons, elegant texture, long. 92-94

2015 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
APR 16 Ruby. Dark fruits, spices, minerals, vanilla and chocolate nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe dark berries, juicy, structured and long. Will be released with a special black label to commemorate the estates 650 years anniversary. 93-95

2015 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
APR 16 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, lemons, floral, fruity nose, not as opulent as some vintages. Fresh acidity, fruity, rounded, fresh and lively, creamy texture, fuller bodied, long. 92-94

2015 Le Petit Haut Lafite
JUN 22 60CS 40M Ruby. Blackberries, anise, minerals, cassis, dark fruits nose, liquorice. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice, dark fruits and cassis, long finish. 90

2014 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
JUN 22 64CS 30M 5CF 1PV Ruby. Scented, lifted, floral, nuanced and detailed, minerals, cassis, layered nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, blackberries, anise, spices, liquorice, detailed and nuanced, long finish. Minerals, almost a smoky note to it. 93

2014 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
JUN 15 Ruby. Ripe, fruity, rich, intense nose, minerals beneath, lush nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe, intense, detailed and juicy, fresh, long. 93

2014 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
APR 15 Ruby. Scented, minerals, fruity, intense nose, vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, the oak is up front and biting, long. 90-92

2014 Le Petit Haut Lafitte
APR 19 Ruby. Anise, blackberries, cassis, dark fruits and some vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, some spices, blueberries, refreshing , good length. 89

2014 Château Smith Haut Lafitte blanc
JUN 15 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, minerals, fruity, grapefruits and peach nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, fresh, rounded, lively, some vanilla, long. 93

2014 Château Smith Haut Lafitte blanc
APR 15 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, minerals, fresh and fruity nose, detailed. Fresh acidity, fresh and intense palate, lively, rounded and fruity, long. 92-94

2013 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
APR 14 Ruby. Red berries, plums touch and vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, leaner, rounded structure, touch herbal, long. 89-91

2013 Château Smith Haut Lafitte blanc
APR 14 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, minerals, floral and flinty notes nose. Fresh acidity, lively, fresh, fuller bodied, lemons, minerals, superb balance, elegant liveliness, fruity and intense, long. 94-96

2012 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
APR 19 Magnum Ruby. Cassis, blueberries, spices, vanilla, detailed, intense nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blueberries, spices, anise, dark fruity, intense, rich, blueberries, spices, layered, lovely balance, long. 94

2012 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
APR 15 Ruby. Dark fruits, blueberries and vanilla, light minerals nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, blueberries, vanilla, slightly raw at this stage, needs decanting, long. 91

2012 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
SEP 13 Deep ruby. Fruity, scented and ripe berries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, slight herbal touch, elegant and some vanilla a bit up front now, long.92

2012 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
JUN 13 Deep ruby. Fruity, scented and ripe nose. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, fruity palate, long. 91

2012 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
APR 13 Ruby. Ripe, cassis, blueberries and a touch of cinnamon on the nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, elegant and nuanced palate, long. 91-93

2012 Château Smith Haut Lafite blanc
MAR 16 Pale lemon yellow. Grapefruits, minerals, citrus, mandarin and vanilla nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, rounded, fresh and elegant, minerals, long. 93

2012 Château Smith Haut Lafitte blanc
APR 15 Light cork.

2012 Château Smith Haut Lafitte blanc
JUN 13 Pale lemon yellow. Fruity, lime, minerals, citrus flowers and scented nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, rounded and elegant texture, almost creamy, slight bitter finish, long. 94

2012 Château Smith Haut Lafitte blanc
APR 12 Pale lemon yellow. Fruity and elegant nose, layered and complex. Fresh acidity, elegant and fruity, a bit tight now, long. 92-94

2011 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
SEP 12 Deep ruby. Fruity, cassis, Pessac-minerals. Fresh acidity, balanced, elegant, easy-going for SHL. 90

2011 Château Smith Haut Lafitte blanc
APR 19 Magnum. Towards lemon yellow. Apples, grapefruits, minerals, ripe citrus and orange blossoms nose, some vanilla. Fresh acidity, fruity, creamy, rounded, intense, fokused, nuanced and long. 95

2011 Château Smith Haut Lafitte blanc
APR 19 Magnum. Towards lemon yellow. Fruit driven, some vanilla, ripe and rich nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, rounded, apples, lemons and vanilla, fruit driven, long. 92

2011 Château Smith Haut Lafitte blanc
AUG 16 Pale lemon yellow. Yellow fruits, minerals, vanilla, apricots and peach nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, rounded, elegant and fruity, yellow fruits, subdued minerals and vanilla, long and rounded. 93

2011 Château Smith Haut Lafitte blanc
APR 16 Pale lemon yellow. Fruity, apricots, minerals, vanilla, spices and peach nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, rounded, peach and apricots, elegant minerals, long. 93

2011 Château Smith Haut Lafitte blanc
FEB 16 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, peach, pears nose, with air apricots. Some vanilla and spices. Fresh acidity, fruity, rounded, apples and peach, some ripe lemons and somewhat smoky finish, long. 94

2011 Château Smith Haut Lafitte blanc
JUN 13 Pale lemon yellow. Grapefruits, vanilla, minerals, intense nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, elegant texture, quite lively, almost creamy, long. 93

2011 Les Hauts de Smith blanc
SEP 13 Pale lemon yellow. Minerals, citrus, touch of wax nose. Fresh acidity, elegant and refreshing, lovely balance, long. 90

2011 Les Hauts de Smith blanc
AUG 13 Pale lemon yellow. Flinty, lemons and grapefruit nose. Fresh acidity, creamy texture, elegant and lively, citrusy finish, good length. 88

2011 Les Hauts de Smith blanc
JUN 13 Pale lemon yellow. Minerals, citrus, touch of honey nose. Fresh acidity, elegant refreshing texture, lovely balance, long. 90

2010 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
DEC 13 Deep ruby. Dark berries, minerals, floral, deep and rich nose, graphite minerality beneath. Fresh acidity, high of ripe tannins, fruity, nuanced, bit biting texture, long finish. 96

2010 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
JAN 13 Deep ruby. Scented over dark berries, minerals, licorice and vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant fruit and minerals beneath. Some herbs in the finish, long. 93

2010 Château Smith Haut Lafitte Rouge
JUN 11 Ruby. Elegant, layered, refined, flirting and seductive, perfumed, long. 93-94

2010 Le Petit Haut Lafitte
JUN 13 Ruby. Fruity, blueberries, dark fruits, juicy, blackberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries, structured, refreshing, but also gripping, long. 89

2010 Château Smith Haut Lafitte blanc
MAY 19 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, minerals, citrus, some smoky notes, citrus and peach nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, intense, bright, youthful, detailed and nuanced, holding up very well, long finish. At Fête de la Fleur. 94

2010 Château Smith Haut Lafitte blanc
SEP 13 Pale lemon yellow. Some citrus, minerals and floral notes behind lots of wax. Fresh acidity, minerals, rounded, lacks the nuances and brightness of a magnum the night before, slightly bitter, long. 91

2010 Château Smith Haut Lafitte blanc
SEP 14 (Magnum) Pale lemon yellow. Grapefruit, minerals, fruity and citrus nose, bright feel to it. Fresh acidity, lively, fruity and elegant, richer style, quite intense, fruity and minerals finish, long. 94

2010 Château Smith Haut Lafitte blanc
AUG 13 Pale lemon yellow. Apples, lemon, quite intense nose, minerals and grapefruit. Fresh acidity, lively, fresh and elegant fruit, body and texture, long. 94

2010 Château Smith Haut Lafitte blanc
JUN 13 Pale lemon yellow. Some citrus, minerals, apples, floral detailed nose. Fresh acidity, minerals, rounded, again some wax, rich and fruit driven, a bit of a ball, long. 92

2010 Château Smith Haut Lafitte blanc
JAN 13 Pale lemon yellow. Fresh citrus and minerals nose, buttery and a touch tropical and apricots. Fresh acidity, more open than last bottle, even if just opened and poured in the glass. Refreshing, balanced and long. 93

2010 Château Smith Haut Lafitte blanc
SEP 12 Pale lemon yellow. Rich nose, lemons, grapefruit, minerals and vanilla. Acidity feels lower than it is because of the rich texture, fresh feel, mineraly apricot finish, long. 93

2010 Château Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc
JUN 11 Pale lemon yellow. Gorgeous nose, stunning flavor and texture, intense, great length. 93-94

2009 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
NOV 13 Deep ruby. Ripe, vanilla, scented, deep, bit rich, coconut and floral high notes. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, rounded texture, ripe, fresh, bit edgy finish, slightly warm. 94

2009 Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte
APR 10 Ruby, oak and actually cedar, blueberries, blackberries, ripe and elegant without any signs of being big. Great texture, fresh and lively, almost velvet already, good structure, gentle tannins even if many of them, complex and great balance, very long length. 91-93

2009 Les Hauts de Smith
APR 10 Ruby, liquorice, dark berries, vanilla with a very good balance, somehow the fruit seems kind of heavy and deep, with the acidity dancing like a ballerina to liven things up, some roasted coffee beans, good length. 83-85

2009 Château Smith Haut Lafitte blanc
NOV 11 Pale lemon, focused, narrower than 08 at the moment, nerve and citrus. Fresh, lively, very elegant, somewhat shut, long finish. 93

2008 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
JUL 21 Ruby. Blueberries, anise, fruit driven, vanilla, spices, detailed nose, nuanced. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, anise, blackberries, blueberries, vanilla, juicy, elegant and detailed, long. 91

2008 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
JAN 12 Ruby. Spicy, coffee, cassis and minerals. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, a bit sweet, good length. 91

2008 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
OCT 11 Ruby, intense nose, complex, fruity, ripe, minerals. Fresh acidity, a bit astringent tannins for now, some herbs, needs time. 91

2008 Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte
APR 10 Ruby with bright ruby rim. Floral, with warm terracotta and dark fruits, even spicy, elegant and seductive. Fresh acidity, some sweetish overtones, you feel the barrel still, elegant tannins, good length. 88-90

2008 Château Smith Haut Lafitte blanc
JUL 13 Pale golden. Creamy honey and apricots nose, quite intense and fuller than last bottle about a year back. Minerals and green apples notes beneath. Fresh acidity, fruity and lively, refreshing and more powerful as well as maybe not transparent, but at least very nuanced. Lively and long. My last bottle, very elegant. 92

2008 Château Smith Haut Lafitte blanc
MAY 12 Pale golden, fresh nose, citrus, minerals, flinty, vanilla, apricots and flowers. Orange blossoms. Fresh and lively acidity, slightly fatty texture, long. 92

2008 Château Smith Haut Lafitte blanc
APR 12 Golden, some apricots, honey-melon, citrus, vanilla. More subdued than it used to be. Fresh acidity, the crisp lemon freshness and flint seems to be leaving, getting more humble, but I think I liked it more up front. Long. 92

2008 Château Smith Haut Lafitte blanc
NOV 11 Pale golden, very closed first, then some minerals and oysters, later the citrus mineral heaven so typical for it, but more closed than any of my former bottles, a new face? Fresh acidity, after thirty minutes fairly full bodied, lovely balance, long. 93

2008 Château Smith Haut Lafitte blanc
NOV 11 Pale lemon, pure, minerals, citrus and floral high notes. Fresh, high acidity, powerful and rounded texture, mineral/ citrus perfection, outstanding length. 94

2008 Château Smith Haut Lafitte blanc
OCT 11 Pale golden, creamy, minerals, citrus, tropical and yellow fruits on the nose. Intense and complex. Fresh acidity, ripe, creamy texture married with beautiful freshness, very long indeed. 94

2007 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
MAY 16 Ruby. Vanilla, spices, fruity, dark berries, cassis and blueberries nose, tobacco. Minerals. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, rounded texture, charming even if still quite youthful aromas. Quite smooth texture. 92

2007 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
DEC 13 Ruby. Starting out ever so slightly herbal, typical of the vintage and a bit lean. With a few hours in decanter, very elegant cassis, tobacco, minerals and a slightly spicy and scented nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant fruit and balance, fruity, quite refreshing, long finish. 91

2007 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
SEP 13 Deep ruby. Scented, chocolate, fruity, spicy and a slight herbal note on the nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant texture, fruity, vanilla, one of the few that still needs some cellaring in this vintage, wait a few years. Long. 90

2007 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
AUG 13 Ruby. Minerals, scented, light herbal touch, blueberries and cassis nose, layered. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, lively and elegant, refreshing, lovely and long. 91

2007 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
NOV 11 Ruby. Floral and minerals, elegant cassis, flirting. 90

2007 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
MAY 11 Deep ruby, elegant nose, leather, minerals, vanilla, that smoky, Pessac minerals mixed with blueberries and blackcurrant's. Fresh acidity, elegant tannins, beautiful texture, very long length. 90

2007 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
SEP 08 Ruby. Lighter nose, red berries, blueberries and vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner fruit and body but lovely balance, elegant, good length. 89

2007 Château Smith Haut Lafitte blanc
SEP 17 Towards lemon yellow. Apricots, peach, vanilla, fruity nose, spices. Fresh acidity, fruity, peach, anise, some minerals, vanilla, long finish, elegant. 92

2007 Château Smith Haut Lafitte blanc
APR 17 Magnum. Towards lemon yellow. Apples, peach, minerals, vanilla and spices, pears, fruity nose. Fresh acidity, fresh and fruity, detailed, quite nuanced, elegant, smooth yet lively, long. 93

2006 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
SEP 19 Ruby. Vanilla, cassis, dark fruity, spices, liquorice, coffee, intense nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, blueberries and spices, juicy, blueberries, nuanced, long. 93

2006 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
JUN 13 Ruby. Cassis, blueberries, spices, minerals, scented with air, nuanced. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruity, blackberries, cassis, structured and firm, tannins of the vintage, long. 93

2006 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
JAN 12 Ruby, seems to be closing up, at least more closed than last time I tried it, more herbs and less minerals. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, long and elegant finish, needs time. 91

2006 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
NOV 11 Ruby, tobacco, smokey and flinty notes, expressive and complex. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, very elegant structure, ripe and firm fruit, long finish. 92

2006 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
MAY 07 Ruby. Dark fruits, lots of vanilla and spicy notes, cassis and blueberries nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, anise, spices, some coffee notes, long. 91-93

2006 Château Smith Haut Lafitte blanc
APR 16 Golden. Apricots, peach, rich, fruity, intense nose, some vanilla and spices. Fresh acidity, fruity, fresh, lively, rounded, peach and apples, long. 92

2006 Château Smith Haut Lafitte blanc
MAY 07 Pale straw yellow. Peach, gooseberries, vanilla and spices nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, peach, grapefruits, citrus, minerals, bit smoky, long. 90-92

2004 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
SEP 08 Ruby. Cassis, blueberries, anise, lighter nose, some herbs. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fresh and fruity but could be more complex and longer, good length. 89

2004 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
MAY 07 Ruby. Mocha, blueberries, vanilla, ripe and fruity nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, blackberries, refreshing, long. 91

2004 Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte blanc
OCT 10 Pale golden colour, peach, honey, melon, minerals, some wood. Fresh, complex and youthful. Fresh acidity, barrel notes, almost creamy, but in fact the minerals clean the palate, some butter, nuts and a nice balance. Long finish. Could be kept many more years. This bottle was enjoyed at the Rose Bar at The Plaza in New York when a lady reached over towards the bottle and asked, "-Do they serve this wine here?"  We looked up, and there was Mrs. Florence Cathiard and husband Daniel, owners of Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte. Sometimes the world is really tiny! 91

2003 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
APR 19 Magnum. Ruby. Scented, blueberries, dates, figs and cigars starting to show, dark fruity core, minerals below, lovely nose. Maturing gracefully. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, amazing how this vintage lost its fat and now seems so much more in harmony, detailed, minerals, tobacco and figs. Very long finish. 95

2003 Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte
NOV 09 Dark ruby, fresh fruits, blackcurrants and some minerals and sweet tobacco. Good acidity, elegant with very ripe tannins, ok finish and good balance. One of the better 03's this autumn. 91

2001 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
NOV 11 (Magnum) Ruby, leather and prunes, smoke, intense, starting to mature nicely, complex and refined. Beautiful acidity, ripe tannins, refreshing, long finish. 93

2000 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
NOV 11 (Magnum) Ruby, garnet rim. Flinty smoky nose, bell peppers and cassis, barely developed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, structured and layered, wait another five years, long. 92

2000 Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte
APR 10 Deep ruby with ruby rim. Mineral, almost flinty touch over blackcurrants, leather and coffee beans. Fresh and lively, ripe tannins, starting to show development, very elegant, balanced and complex, and fantastic length. Keep at least another ten years. 90

2000 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
SEP 08 Towards golden. Nuts, mushrooms, rich tropical and ripe citrus nose. Some asparagus as well. Fresh acidity, fruity, rounded, bit waxy and fat, good length. 89

2000 Château Smith Haut Lafitte blanc
MAY 07 Golden. Bit oxidised, very yellow fruity.

1999 Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte
OCT 09 Rubin med syltynn rødrosa kant. Ren elegant frukt, noe jordbær, lær, elegant nese, nesten Pinot, noe jord. Fresh syre, modne nesten fraværende tanniner, litt ustrukturert og stor i frukten for Bordeaux, men en god munnfull. 88

1999 Château Smith Haut Lafite
JAN 08 Ruby. Cassis, blueberries, some minerals, anise, slight leather and a touch of figs nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, cassis, blueberries, anise, elegant and detailed, long. 91

1999 Château Smith Haut Lafitte blanc
JUN 11 Deep lemon, smokey minerals, flint, some apples and lemon on top. Good acidity, too much oak has killed of otherwise excellent fruit, otherwise balanced, long finish. Bought at Badie, could be faulty storage, but I have not tasted it since. See under 1996. 82

1998 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
APR 18 Double magnum. Ruby. Blueberries, anise, spices, fruity, elegant and layered nose, youthful, minerals beneath. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, fresh and detailed, nuanced, elegant and long. Shared with Florence Cathiard at the table of Academie du Vin dinner in Bordeaux. 94

1998 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
JAN 13 Ruby with garnet rim. This wine has become a favorite as it's developing nicely, even if fairly mature for the vintage. 98 is excellent for red Pessac and this starting figs, minerals, tobacco and graphite red is another lovely example. Fresh acidity, tannins starting to let go, refreshing and lovely. 92

1998 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
NOV 11 Ruby, smoky and leather, mint, sumptuous, elegant, pure, refined, starting to show development. Superb texture, fresh acidity, mellow tannins, long length. 93

1998 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
OCT 11 Ruby, thin garnet rim. Maturing nicely, plums, leather, minerals. Fresh acidity, tannins should still have some cellaring, but I have had softer bottles, good fruit, long length. 92

1998 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
OCT 10 Ruby with garnet rim, dark fruits, cassis, rich and still elegant, slightly green and herbal behind. Ok acidity, good tannins, a touch rustic, black currants, haven't quite nailed the elegance Pessac's may have in 98, good length. 88

1998 Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte blanc
APR 10 Lemon yellow, honey, minerals, ripe citrus, orange peel, some tropical overtones and hyacinth. Fresh and lively, great texture and balance, rich in a very positive and complex manner, elegant and a fantastic long length. Can keep. 92

1996 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
APR 16 Ruby. Herbs, fruity, dark berries, spices and figs, opens up elegantly and almost loses the herbal notes. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, dark berries and spices, long finish. 91

1996 Château Smith Haut Lafitte blanc
OCT 11 Lemon golden, minerals, tropical and marzipan. Fresh acidity, leaner body than the nose suggest, mature, smokey, beeswax, not a style for everyone, long length. 90

1996 Château Smith Haut Lafitte blanc
JUN 11 Golden, butter, nuts, minerals more fatty and somewhat less oxidized than some bottles, refreshing feel to it. Lively acidity, smoky touch and long finish. Very different from the Badie bottle. 92

1996 Château Smith Haut Lafitte blanc
JUL 10 Golden, very closed nose, some smokey minerals, lemons. Fresh acidity, lots of nuts, some oak, again this feeling that the oak has stolen the fruit away, very lemony finish. 77

1996 Château Smith Haut Lafitte blanc
JUN 07 Golden. Peach, grapefruits, some vanilla and spices nose, rich. Freshish acidity, rich, fruity and big, peach and honey, could have some more acidity. 89

1995 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
NOV 07 Ruby, garnet rim. Scented, minerals, figs, some cassis and liquorice nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant texture, lovely balance, red fruity notes, maturing nicely, long. 91

1995 Château Smith Haut Lafitte blanc
JUL 10 Lemon yellow, smoke, lemon, minerals, apples. Fresh, good acidity, very lemon minerality in the mouth, then some sweet, ripe yellow plums, fresh and fruity finish. 87

1990 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
SEP 13 (Magnum) Deep ruby, garnet rim. Scented, leather, black tea, stable touch, hay and figs, a mature '90. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity and quite elegant palate, lively, feels more youthful, refreshing finish, long. 92

1979 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
DEC 18 Magnum Ruby core, broad garnet and brick rim. Some figs, sweet tobacco, nuanced, quite mature nose, lighter but elegant and detailed. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, figs, dates, some cherries, light blueberries, juicy and refreshing, playful, getting quite mature, drink over the next five years from this bottle. 93

1978 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
MAY 11 Ruby, orange rim, lean and drying up.

1964 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
DEC 10 Orange. A few figs and some liquorice, but tired.