Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte 2022

Expressive, with mint, cassis and white pepper, a textbook Cabernet nose; on the palate it’s focused, dense, with very good structure, powerful, full of energy, with excellent length, plenty of spice and a fascinating freshness. A great “little” Smith Haut Lafitte.

This forward red displays ripe, succulent flavors of black cherry and black currant fruit paste laced with licorice root, alder and black tea. Offers a toasty finish but shows good energy and is accessible now. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Drink now through 2034. 6,000 cases made, 1,500 cases imported.

Beautiful nose: blackcurrant, vanilla, caramel, chocolate, tobacco, cherries, crushed stones, blue fruit and bramble fruits. Sleek and straight, nice acidity, but this is quite linear with the Cabernet really giving the backbone, length and overall structure. Feels a bit tense, but it does have texture too so it’s not austere or harsh, just strong. Really well built, delivering power no doubt, but keeping a soft juiciness underneath. Very medicinal — clove, liquorice, unmistakable Cabernet speaking here, but feels clean and well worked. Nothing sticking out too much with body, plushness and cool freshness. Good potential, really impressively constructed. 3.7p. Ageing: 30% new oak.

Aromas of currants and blackberries with orange peel and rose petals follow through to a medium body with racy, polished tannins that go on for a long time. Vivid and energetic. Second wine of Smith Haut-Laffite. 60% cabernet sauvignon and 40% merlot. Give it two to three years.

60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot from the same plots as Les Hauts de Smith but with reversed proportions and designed for longer ageing. Sold en primeur. Cask sample. Deep blackish crimson. Very aromatic indeed. Luscious and vibrant with real density and structure. Polish! Flattering Cabernet with serious tannins on the finish. A hint of molasses but mainly structure and all the attributes of a proper, fine left-bank blend. Dry finish for now. Less dense than the grand vin but very serious. (JR)

The 2022 Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte is a rich, heady wine. A blast of dark cherry, plum, licorice, menthol, chocolate, tobacco and incense makes a strong opening impression. This Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend is all opulence. I would give it a few years to settle down.

Flowers, chocolate, and cherry aromas pop in the bouquet. The medium-bodied palate is loaded with elegant, fresh, sweet, ripe blackberries, black currants, and black cherries, with nuances of smoke, espresso, chocolate, licorice, and marine influences that emerge on the back of the finish, adding length and vibrancy. The wine blends 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. Drink from 2026 to 2040.

Dark ruby, purple reflections, subtle ochre rim. Ripe black cherries, fine cassis, some nougat, candied orange zest, inviting bouquet. Full-bodied, fresh red berries, subtle fruit expression, fine savoury tannins, mineral and salty finish, a versatile food wine with good ageing potential. (25/1).

More Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated, the 2022 Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot that spent 14 months in 20% new French oak. It's even better than the Les Hauts de Smith and has gorgeous aromatics of black cherries, currants, scorched earth, tobacco, and graphite. This textured, medium to full-bodied, seamless beauty has ripe tannins, a layered, balanced mouthfeel, and a great finish. This matches, if not exceeds, the 2020.

A juicy, fresh, playful nose with penetrating forest-fruit aromas. An intense attack on the palate, concentrated yet limpid, taut yet agile. A aftertaste of fresh tobacco and a lovely bitterness on the finish.

Dark color with purple highlights. Very aromatic nose. Fruit that is both ripe and fresh. Floral nuances. A touch of citrus. Rich on the attack, broad mid-palate, with a hint of cocoa, black fruit and flowers, the wine rises toward the finish. Very well built, it ends long, delicious and even complex. Blend: 60% cabernet sauvignon, 40% merlot. Alcohol: 14% - pH: 3.7. Yield: 28 hl/ha.

Deep plum colour, plenty of creamy fruit here, with a good dash of bitterness that adds focus and mouthwatering appeal. This is again Cabernet-dominant, with tension and freshness, excellent perfume as the wine unfolds and opens in the mouth. A savoury, lovely Petit Smith Haut Lafitte, showing how ripe things got in this vintage, but they’re doing a great job of keeping the delivery measured—one to look out for. In the wine’s signature style, everything is in balance. 15% new oak for ageing.

Denser and deeper than Les Hauts de Smith, the 2022 Le Petit Haut Lafitte is a real success this year, revealing a lively, vibrant bouquet of dark wild berries, cassis, flowers and licorice mingled with delicate notes of rose. Medium to full-bodied, round and supple, it's layered and seamless and framed by velvety tannins, concluding with a long, floral finish. Perfect for gastronomy, this well-crafted Pessac-Léognan has plenty of freshness despite the dry season.