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2012-CHÂTEAU-SMITH-HAUT-LAFITTE-Cru-Classé-Pessac-Léognan

CHÂTEAU SMITH HAUT LAFITTE

2013 Cru Classé Pessac-Léognan

Colour Red
Origin France, Bordeaux
Village Pessac-Léognan
Classification Cru Classé
ABV 14%

Deep colour, raw black-curranty nose, quite a deep blackcurrant and black mineral palate. There's even a little impression of sweetness on the finish. Pure and dark. Slightly hard to gauge evolution but seems set fair. A second tasting confirmed the first and more; pure and frank with nice definition, also giving an impression of oak-structured tannin but this seemed correct in the context of the wine. 2019-25+ Rating: 90-91 L&S (Apr 2014)


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The Cathiard family has fashioned a medium-bodied, light-styled 2013 Smith Haut Lafitte exhibiting a medium dark ruby color, attractive red and black currant fruit, a hint of graphite, and a one-dimensional mouthfeel. If it puts on weight and depth, it may merit a higher score. Based on this estate’s perfect wines in 2009, 2010 and great 2008, the so-so 2013 is somewhat disappointing. It should drink well for 6-10 years. 2014-2024 Rating: 86-88 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, www.RobertParker.com (Aug 2014)

(60% cabernet sauvignon, 35% merlot, 4% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot; 60% new oak): Bright red. Aromatic herbs complicate minty strawberry and cinnamon aromas; this seems quite backward still. Juicy acidity lifts the simple but smooth red cherry, clove and licorice flavors. Much less green and tannic than most other 2013 reds. Stephane Derenoncourt, the consulting enologist here, told me he thought the merlot planted on clay-limestone plots at Smith Haut Lafitte gave the wine a sexy minty violet note that was especially obvious this year. Rating: 86-89 Ian d'Agata - Stephen Tanzer website (May 2014)

There is a lovely depth of flavour on the nose with the black fruits to the fore tending to dominate. The start of the palate is rich with depth of fruit fresh and red fruited in the middle with spicy tobacco at the back and a finish that has depth and power with a mix of cassis and black cherry. 2018-30 Rating: 89-92 Derek Smedley MW, www.dereksmedleymw.co.uk (May 2014)

Château Smith Haut Lafitte

Owned by the Cathiard family since 1990, Smith Haut Lafitte has a history that extends back to 1365. Originally owned by the Bosq Family, it was bought by Scotsman George Smith in the eighteenth century, and he gave it his name. He also built the manor house, and shipped the wine back to England.

In 1842, it passed, from his mother, to a M. Duffour-Dubergier, who was mayor of Bordeaux. His work raised the quality level and it was classified Grand Cru in the 1855 classification. The 20th century was mostly about Louis Eschenauer and his company, which distibuted the wines and eventually bought the property in 1958, investing over the time and building the barrel cellar.

The Cathiards fell in love with Smith in 1990, and have lavished care and considerable investment on it since then. Daniel Cathiard was a former ski champion, a member of the famous French Olympic team that included Jean-Claude Killy, and it was at that time that he met his wife Florence. Both have impressive track records of running businesses. Daniel built up the small chain of supermarkets that he inherited, and added a chain of sports shops, the group employing nine thousand people. Florence worked with him and also ran her own advertising company, ending up in a senior position in the McCann group. In 1990 they sold all their business interests to concentrate on Smith, where they have lived since. One of their daughters runs the Caudalie beauty products company (products based on the polyphenols extracted from grape pips), and the other two boutique hotels, including the 'Sources de Caudalie', next to Smith.

The Cathiards have since bought Château Cantelys in Martillac, and also, in 2012, part of the vineyard of Château Le Thil, as well as the house and the park. More recently they have been involved in the consortium which bought Château Bearegard (Pomerol) and Château Bastor Lamontagne (Sauternes).

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