Château Smith Haut Lafitte 2022

More expressive than many wines, a perfume like no other, herbal spice, cassis, blackberries, dark chocolate; dense palate, ripe fruit, plenty of drive, powerful tannin structure, tremendous energy, warm-hearted yet endowed with great freshness; en primeur, I perceived the wine as rather Tuscan, and the maturation did it a world of good. Top class!

Delivering a warm gush of cassis, plum purée and cherry preserves, this manages to capture a 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. 8,000 cases made, 2,400 cases imported.

Deep and evocative, this bursts with blackcurrants, milk chocolate and floral perfume. Instantly captivating, the palate is silky yet structured, with tannins seamlessly supporting vibrant red and black berries. Broad and powerful, yet it glides, showcasing Cabernet’s structure, Merlot’s generosity and cool spiced fruit. A mineral core adds complexity, with flint-like nuances. A masterclass in power and balance – and unmistakably Smith. 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot. Organic.

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.

Tasted blind. Intense, meaty nose. Sweet and charry. Not very pleasant to drink! Tough. (JR)

Almost opaque in hue, the wine jumps from the glass with its showy display of flowers, smoke, cigar wrapper, blackberries, and black currants. If that wasn't enough to keep you busy, the palate, with its multiple layers of black and blue fruits drenched in espresso, chocolate, smoke, and spice, will seal the deal. Opulent as well as refined, the finish lingers and expands on your palate for more than 50 seconds! Is this the best vintage of Smith Haut Lafitte ever produced? With aging, if the score goes up, it could be! Drink from 2030–2060.

Deep dark ruby garnet colour with an opaque core and purple reflections, delicate brightening at the rim. Fine nuances of noble oak, a touch of cassis, ripe plums, nougat, a multi-faceted bouquet. Powerful, taut, ripe dark wild berries, integrated tannins, mineral and persistent, savoury finish, long finish, with ageing potential; it will need some time to fully develop.

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.

The exceptional 2022 vintage, and here they pull off the same trick as in 2018, where the vintage is exuberant and opulent, but not so big that it overpowers the estate signature. Layers, waves, flavours that are rooted to the spot and yet rising through the palate, no question about the longevity of this wine, and although expansive, it retains Cabernet Sauvignon character, with its cassis bud and crushed mint leaf edge that weaves through the tannic architecture. So good. Fabien Teitgen, technical director.

A nose of dark fruits and graphite, with fresh, lively notes that awaken the senses. The palate is round and caressing, with a burst of fruit that pierces to the heart of the wine before exploding into a fresh, toasty finish, layered with burnt caramel aromas and lifted by a noble bitterness.

The nose is beautifully intense, precise, peppery and airy, offering a lovely powerful yet very fine, airy grain. It reveals notes of Boysenberry, fairly ripe wild red berries and, more subtly, elegant roasted fruit, together with fine hints of nutmeg and cardamom, discreet touches of cherry blossom, a hint of pulpy plum, a delicate touch of crushed strawberry, Madagascar pepper, cornflower, herbal infusion and a discreet almost-cypress note. The palate is nicely guided, supple, airy and harmonious, offering delicacy, roundness, lovely freshness, fine control and a multi-layered feel. Delicate in its power. On the palate, the wine expresses notes of pulpy/juicy blackcurrant and violet, and, more lightly, elegant roasted raspberry, with touches of crushed strawberry, plus a hint of blue plum, cornflower, star anise and dark chocolate/cocoa. A subtle floral note and an almost sweet mandarin nuance. Long, lovely persistence.

Very intense color. Highly aromatic nose, fine, pure, and rich. Slightly sun-kissed nuances, then dark fruits lifted by spice and fine oak. Delicate on entry, with a classy texture, the wine builds slowly through to the finish. It ends powerful, a touch firm, but also very flavorful and long.

An initial nose that captivates with remarkable complexity, blending a generous basket of dark fruits, with blackberry shining at the forefront. On the palate, it is structured and elegant. Depth comes with lovely freshness. Gentian brings an original, vibrant touch, supported by remarkable aromatic clarity on the attack. The finish, long and flavorful, lights up like fireworks, while remaining supple and harmonious, with delicately toasted notes that wrap around the dark fruits preserved intact until the very last moment. A great wine, precise and accomplished.

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.