Château Smith Haut Lafitte 2015

Characteristics and Tasting Tips of Château Smith Haut Lafitte 2015

Tasting

Color
Beautiful very dark red color, almost black.

Nose
The bouquet is dominated by aromas of fresh and crunchy black and red fruits, such as blackberries, blueberries, raspberries and cherries. When swirled, the nose becomes more complex, revealing notes of spices, cedar, licorice, violet and a mineral touch of gunflint.

Palate
Frank and lively, the palate reveals concentrated, creamy and smooth tannins. The palate seduces with its length and beautiful texture, with crunchy and ripe fruits, complemented by spicy notes of licorice, citron, clove, and a floral and mineral finish.

A great Red wine from Pessac-Léognan, dense and powerful

The estate

Located in the heart of the Pessac-Léognan appellation and dating from 1365, the Château Smith Haut Lafitte is one of the oldest châteaux in Bordeaux. This magnificent estate entered a new era of its history following its acquisition by Daniel and Florence Cathiard in 1990. Driven with passion and ambition by the Cathiard couple, Château Smith Haut Laffite has risen to the rank of the finest estates of Graves with wines world-renowned for their elegance and style, both in red and in white.

The vineyard

This Château Smith Haut Laffite 2015 is a Pessac-Léognan wine from a vineyard whose vines are 49 years old on average.

The wine

2015 celebrates the 25th vintage of the Cathiard family at the helm of the estate. To mark this anniversary, the label and bottle design have been modified, offering a unique presentation.

The vintage

In 2015, a long drought from March to July followed by a cool and humid August allowed optimal ripening with good freshness. Early water stress promoted tannin production and their maturation. Harvest lasted 4 weeks, beginning on September 14 with Merlot and ending with Cabernet Franc. The grapes were perfectly ripe and balanced, harvested under favorable climatic conditions.

Winemaking and aging

Winemaking is carried out with whole berries in small wooden vats at 28°C, with extraction by manual punching down. Aging lasts 18 months in barrels, 60 % of which are new barrels made in their own cooperage. The wines are aged on the lees, with a single racking, then the aging is tailored for each wine.

Blend

Cabernet Sauvignon (63 %)
Merlot (33 %)
Cabernet Franc (2 %)
Petit Verdot (2 %).