- "One of the Greatest Wines. Don’t Miss It". ~100 JD
- "Speaks of Great Cabernet". ~98 JS
- "Silky, Elegant and Nuanced". ~97+AG, VM
- 95–98 Vintage ~WS
About the Wine
This is a BHW Direct Import/Ex-Chateau item. This is a futures item that is expected to deliver during 2025.
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Château Smith Haut Lafitte is a prestigious estate located in the heart of the Pessac-Léognan appellation, part of the greater Bordeaux region. With a rich history dating back to the 14th century, the estate is renowned for producing some of the most elegant and complex wines in Bordeaux. In recent decades, under the ownership of Florence and Daniel Cathiard, the estate has undergone significant modernization, transforming Smith Haut Lafitte into one of the most respected names in Bordeaux.
The estate spans 78 hectares of vineyards, with an emphasis on blending both Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The 2022 vintage is crafted from 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot, creating a wine that captures the essence of the estate’s terroir. The vineyards are planted on gravelly soils, which are ideal for producing wines with both richness and elegance, while the proximity to the Garonne River ensures that the vines benefit from a balanced microclimate, helping to preserve acidity and freshness even in warmer years.
The 2022 vintage was challenging, with a hot and dry growing season. However, the estate’s terroir and careful vineyard management ensured that the grapes were able to ripen fully while maintaining freshness. The result is a wine that balances density, precision, and harmony—a hallmark of great Bordeaux.
This vintage has been praised for its powerful structure, silky tannins, and exceptional depth. While approachable in its youth, it has the potential to evolve and improve over the next several decades, showcasing the full potential of Smith Haut Lafitte as a premier Bordeaux estate.
The 2022 Smith Haut Lafitte is a rich, concentrated wine with a refined character, capturing the elegance of Cabernet Sauvignon with the roundness of Merlot and the finesse of its other varietals. It stands as one of the most impressive releases from the estate, positioned alongside the greatest vintages such as 2009, 2010, and 2020.
Aging: 15-18 months in French oak barrels, 60% new oak.
Tasting Notes
64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot. A dense, powerful Pessac-Léognan showcasing layers of blackcurrant, plum, and cherry preserves, complemented by sweet tobacco, violet, and black licorice notes. Subtle hints of espresso, graphite, and anise add depth and complexity. The palate is full-bodied and structured, with plush tannins, a silky mouthfeel, and a long, opulent finish. The wine balances density with elegance, offering a seamless integration of fruit, minerality, and oak, making it a wine that will age gracefully over time.
Critical Reviews
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 palatewith ripe, velvety tannins, it's a sensational, absolutely heavenly effortthat 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.~100 Jeb Dunnuck
The 2022 Smith Haut Lafitte is silky, elegant and nuanced. It's all there. A wine of precision and class, the 2022 is so impressive. Refined, supple tannins wrap around a core of blue/purplish fruit, lavender, espresso and mocha. I find the 2022 a bit buttoned up today, but that is probably a very good thing for its long-term prospects. I look forward to seeing it age. ~97+ Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media
With a somber, slightly introverted character characterized by notes of licorice, gentian, spices and dark wild berries, the 2022 Smith Haut Lafitte possesses a medium to full-bodied, concentrated and dense palate with a fleshy core of fruit and a generously extracted structure with an assertive tannic frame that requires time to mellow. Concluding with a long, dense and gentian-inflected finish, it needs time to digest its élevage and should gain harmony and balance with some time in the cellar. ~96+ Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
The 2022 Smith Haut Lafitte, bottled in June 2024, includes 15% of the stems, though winemaker Fabien Teitgen emphasizes that he does not want their effect to be palpable in the blend. Its fragrant bouquet blends red and black fruit with hints of anise and Italian herbs, coming across quite complexand a little more flamboyant than some of its Pessac peers. The medium-bodied palate features plush tannins and very pure black fruit interlaced with hints of graphite and black pepper. Boasting gentle grip and a great sense of harmony, this is a wonderful Smith Haut Lafitte that will evolve in bottle over many years. ~96 Neil Martin, Vinous Media
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