Château Smith Haut Lafitte - Pessac-Léognan Red 2011

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

90 / 100

byIan D'Agatathe8/31/2014

Ruby-red.  Enticing perfume of blackberry, violet, aromatic herbs and minerals.  Clean, fresh and lively on the palate, showing noteworthy precision to the savory dark berry and herb flavors.  Finishes pure and moderately long, with less oak showing than usual for this wine.  Should offer early accessibility but has the stuffing to improve over the next decade.

Wine Advocate

94 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe5/2/2014

The grand vin, the 2011 Smith-Haut-Lafitte is another great successes (and that’s saying something after the remarkable duo of 2009 and 2010 as well as the brilliant 2008). This wine exhibits a dense purple color along with a big, sweet nose of creme de cassis, mulberries, licorice and subtle background oak. Full-bodied with silky tannins, nicely integrated acidity, wood and alcohol, a multilayered mouthfeel, and a finish that lasts 45 seconds, this brilliant wine should drink well for 15-20 years.

One of the best run estates in Bordeaux, Smith-Haut-Lafitte’s owners, the Cathiard family, has produced a beautiful second wine in 2011.

Jamessuckling.com

94 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/19/2014

A wine that has a beautiful depth of fruit, with currants, minerals and dried flowers on the nose and palate. It’s full-bodied, with super-integrated tannins that last for minutes. This is muscular yet polished. Extremely well done for the vintage. Better in 2017.

Wine Spectator

93 / 100

byJames Molesworththe2/10/2014

Lush fig, boysenberry and blackberry pâte de fruit notes are interspersed with lively anise, singed apple wood and fruitcake details. A tarry echo hangs in the background on the finish. Shows impressive depth and ripeness for the vintage. Best from 2015 through 2025.

La Revue du Vin de France

16,5-17,5 / 20

the5/31/2012

Fabien Teitgen, le directeur, considère que l'été frais a sauvé le millésime! "Sans cela, nous nous erions retrouvés dans une situation plus délicate qu'en 2003. Les écarts de maturité sur une même grappe demandaient une attention particulière dans les tris". En raison de l'échaudage du printemps, les cabernet-sauvignon (55%) sont moins représentés, mais compensés par 8% de cabernet franc, ce qui explique une certaine rigueur dans les tanins. Le vin s'impose par une structure ample et une finale harmonieuse. Un beau Smith de caractère.

Le Point

16,5-17 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe5/17/2012

Fraise, bouche ample, moelleuse, large, attaque sur des tanins doux, fraîcheur, finale plus ramassée, matière assez impostante. O= 2017 G= 12 ans

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

90-93 / 100

byIan D'Agatathe5/12/2012

Opaque purple-ruby. Superripe aromas of blackberry, blackcurrant and graphite. Bright, fresh and juicy, with sneaky concentration to the black fruit and mineral flavors. The finish is long and pure, with enticing notes of minerals and cedar. A more refined Smith Haut Lafitte than usual, very well done.

Decanter.com

17 / 20

the4/30/2012

Well-extracted cassis fruit, slight gamey edge that adds character, firm fruit with a tobacco leaf lift. An elegantly concentrated palate with a good future. Drink 2015-2030.

Wine Advocate

91-93 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2012

An impressive effort, this 2011 exhibits a dense saturated ruby/purple color along with lots of graphite, black currant and camphor notes, medium to full body, and surprising depth, richness and length. Tannins are present, but they are relatively sweet and unobtrusive. A crisp character gives the wine vibrancy as well as impressive delineation. It should drink well for 15+ years.

TAST

17-17,5 / 20

by Bettane & Desseauvethe4/30/2012

Très joli fruit, texture généreuse, tanin accompli, assez tendre pour le millésime, plein de charme.

Wein Wisser

18 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe4/30/2012

Tiefs Purpur, satt in der Mitte, Granatschimmer am Rand. Süsses elegantes Bouquet, schöne Kirschentöne, etwas Cassis und auch florale Noten, die Barriques vermitteln einen Hauch Kokos und Milchkaffee im zweiten Nasenansatz. Recht charmanter Gaumen, viel Saft, souplesse in den feinen Tanninen zeigend, wunderbare Balance, schon fast milchiges Finale mit viel Rückaromatik. Modern vinifiziert bei guter Ausgangslage, dem Jahrgang sehr gut angepasst. 2017-2043

The Wine Cellar Insider

92-94 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/27/2012

From an assemblage of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and a drop of Petit Verdot, the wine will be aged in 60% new oak. This is a deep, dark-colored Pessac Leognan with a perfume offering licorice, coffee, earth and jammy black raspberry. Rich, full-bodied, plush and intense, the wine ends with a fresh, long, floral and sweet finish with spice, espresso and black cherry. 92-94 Pts

Wine Advocate

92-94 / 100

byNeal Martinthe4/27/2012

The Smith Haut Lafitte is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc aged in 60% new oak. The harvest (for the red) was between 15th September and finishing with the Cabernet Sauvignon and 30th September and it represents 39% of the crop. It has a lifted bouquet with ripe blackberry, cassis, black olive and fruits de mer with fine delineation. With continued aeration there is just a hint of violet. The palate is beautiful, very dense and concentrated with superb delineation and wonderful purity and minerality towards the finish. It is very long in the mouth. Excellent. N.B. This does not include the full vin de presse. Tasted April 2012

Asian Palate

89-91 / 100

byJeannie Cho Lee MWthe4/20/2012

A lovely white from Smith Haut Lafitte with detailed stone fruits and generous mid palate. There is a bit less concentration here than in previous few years of their whites but nonetheless balanced, fresh and lively. An elegant white wine with good length.

Jancis Robinson

16,5 / 20

byJulia Harding MWthe4/20/2012

Drink 2017-2028
Deep black cherry colour. Ripe, even minty, dark fruit. Plenty of sweet oak too. Upright, firm and tightly structured, with a strong graphite core and just enough fruit. No lack of freshness but it is a little drying now. Hope it will come round. (JH) (16,5+ points)

Wine Spectator

92-95 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/10/2012

Offers pure, driven plum, cassis and black cherry notes inlaid with graphite and roasted wood spice. Dense without being overextracted. Very sleek. Rock-solid.—J.M.

Wine Enthusiast

91-93 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/5/2012

This wine has density, with very dry, massive tannins. This is a wine for long-term aging; it has a solid texture, with its fruit well buried.—R.V

Jamessuckling.com

92-93 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/1/2012

Perfumed and very pretty with delicate spices, berries and flowers. Medium to full body, with ultra fine tannins and a lovely finish. Balanced and delicious. Not a big wine but shows finesse.