Château Smith Haut Lafitte 2024

Luminous ruby; deep nose with floral notes, cool smoke, dark cherries, damp stone; compact, straightforward, juicy palate, the wine builds tension, the fruit feels perfectly ripe, the structure of fine tannins and racy acidity provides support, long-lasting, spicy, red-fruited finish. A light-footed, almost Burgundy-like Smith Haut Lafitte.

Dark fruit and soft rose aromatics, neat and tidy scents. A lovely juicy, fun expression from Smith this year with a dollop of sweet ripe fruit with cooling acidity and fine tannins. Definitely not demonstrative, this is about the precision rather than power or density but it’s graceful and long with focus and charm. Not trying too hard, this is sinewy with a soft fleshiness and really mineral-edged finish that adds tension - liquorice, slate, graphite and pencil lead. Harmonious and balanced. This leans into the vintage. Good construction and energy. 1% Petit Verdot completes the blend. Ageing 60% new oak barrels. 3.6pH.

Spicy red fruits blend with dried herbs, coco, plums, and tobacco on the nose. The palate is modern-classic in style, with lift, length, and vibrancy, leaving you with cherries, strawberries, cocoa, and mint in the mid-palate that carries through to the long finish. Picking took place from September 18 - October 9. The wine is a blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, and is aging in 60% new French oak barrels. 13.2% ABV. pH 3.65. Drink from 2028-2042. 93-95 pts

Lovely elegant nose, honest, fresh, racy, with a charming floral aspect, a very pleasing melodic character and an enthralling aromatic depth. Beautiful purity and brightness of the fruit. A pleasing three-dimensional/multi-layered side. We find notes of bright wild blackcurrant, bright black cherry and, more slightly, cornflower, combined with touches of bright red berries, with a subtle hint of almost roasted-elegant fruit. The palate is beautifully guided, elegant, supple, fresh, precise, nicely racy and offers a lovely softness (divinely airy), accuracy, delicacy, and a pleasing melodic character. Delicate, fine, saline fat, almost smoky and enveloping. A very fine definition, finesse and elegance in its grain. Energy. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of vibrant blackcurrant, vibrant blueberry and, more slightly, bright raspberry, combined with touches of juicy/fresh red berries, fine hints of violet, delicate infusion, almost mandarin, cornflower, as well as discreet hints of chocolate, toasted hazelnut and cornflower. The tannins are elegant, sapid, gourmand and offer softness. A perfectly crafted wine, reflecting its great terroir and the qualities of this complicated vintage wonderfully. Melodic, bright, subtle, fresh, airy, delicate, deep and textured. A very nice and discreet work on fine bitters and toastiness.