Château Smith Haut Lafitte Pessac-Léognan Grand Cru Classé 2019 / 14.5% / 0.75 L

Château Smith Haut Lafitte is one of the icons of Pessac-Léognan—an estate whose history dates back to the 14th century, when Verrier du Bosq planted the first vines on the gravel plateau known as “Haut-Lafitte”.In the 18th century, Scottish merchant George Smith gave the estate its name and built a Neoclassical chartreuse; in the 19th century, the vineyard was taken over by Lodi Martin Duffour-Dubergier, then mayor of Bordeaux and co-author of the 1855 classification.In the 20th century, he sold wine and later bought back the Eschenauer merchant house.The turning point came in 1990: Daniel and Florence Cathiard fell in love with the place, completely renovated it, and returned to the “all from the terroir” philosophy—from the vineyard to their own coopering workshop and massale nursery.They were the ones who gave the estate its current grandeur and refinement, and their daughters developed the famous Les Sources de Caudalie spa hotel on the estate, as well as the Caudalie brand, which draws on grape polyphenols.

The estate itself is a green “island” amid the forests of Martillac: 87 hectares in a single tract, covered by a layer of Gunzian gravel more than 6 meters deep.These pebbles act like mirrors, reflecting heat and promoting full ripeness; at the same time—thanks to excellent drainage—they give red wines smoothness and complexity, and white wines a subtle, “smoky” Graves accent..Sustainable agriculture is a reality here: homemade compost, hedgerows, and beehives; a horse-drawn cart on the delicate white vineyards; as well as gravity-fed winemaking and “bio-precision” in every detail.

Today, SHL Vineyards has about.78 hectares planted with red varieties (the remaining 11 hectares are white varieties).Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot dominate, with some Cabernet Franc and a touch of Petit Verdot.The medium-mature, sun-drenched vines grow on a mosaic of sandy gravel and clay lenses; the winery ferments the wine in small wooden vats, and aging takes place in barrels from its own cooperage—a rarity in Bordeaux and an important element of the style.

In addition to its winemaking activities, the estate is a wine tourism destination: the vineyard is home to the five-star Les Sources de Caudalie palace hotel—classified as a “palace” under French standards—featuring cuisine inspired by the estate’s garden and wines.This is where the Caudalie skincare brand was born, created by Mathilde Thomas-Cathiard and her husband, who used extracts from grape seeds and grapevines.

2019 Vintage – Château Smith Haut Lafitte, Pessac-Léognan, Grand Cru Classé
The year 2019 brought two distinct phases of ripening: a hot, dry start produced small, concentrated berries and rich tannins, while a cooler end to the season added freshness and polish.This cuvée is made from 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot.The winemaking process took place in small wooden vats using manual “pigeage,” and aging lasted about.18 months in barrels, 60% of which are new—from the château’s own cooperage—partially “on the lees,” with a minimal number of rackings.

Appearance: a deep, ruby-purple color, almost opaque, with a sheen and dense tears on the glass walls.

Aroma: intense and multi-layered, with notes of black currant, blackberry, and cherry, interwoven with violet, graphite, cedar, dark chocolate, and pepper; with a subtle, mineral-smoky undertone characteristic of Graves.

Taste: full-bodied and harmonious, with juicy fruit, ripe, velvety tannins, and lively acidity; elegant structure, long finish with notes of black fruit, spices, and orange peel.

Food pairings: excellent with roast beef, grilled entrecôte, roast lamb, venison, and goose; excellent with beef cheeks braised in wine, dishes featuring porcini mushrooms or truffles, as well as aged cheeses such as Comté or aged cheddar.