Château Smith Haut Lafitte - Red Pessac-Léognan 1996

Wine Advocate

90 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/1999

The 1996 Smith-Haut-Lafitte is the quintessentially elegant Bordeaux. With a dark ruby/purple color, it displays a beautiful presentation of blackberry and cassis fruit nicely dosed with subtle new oak. On the attack, the wine is sweet and pure, with striking symmetry, and a compellingly balanced mid-palate and finish. Although not as big as some blockbusters from this vintage, it is extremely complex (both aromatically and flavor-wise), and impressive for its restraint, subtlety, and impeccable balance. Anticipated maturity: 2003-2016.

Wine Spectator

86 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe1/31/1999

Attractive aromas of chocolate and blackberry. Medium-bodied, with velvety tannins, but they turn slightly tough and dry on the finish. Too much new wood? Promises more on the nose than it delivers on the palate, like so many '96s. Best after 2000. 8,000 cases made.

Wine Advocate

90-92 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe2/28/1998

A saturated deep ruby/purple color precedes a bouquet of smoke, vanillin, sweet cherry and black currant aromas. Built along the lines of the 1995, but more tannic and less forward, this medium-bodied wine possesses outstanding concentration, purity, and equilibrium. It is a beautifully made, potentially complex, perfumed, harmonious claret that should age gracefully. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2020. Since the acquisition of this estate by the Cathiard family, this property has become one of Bordeaux's success stories, producing elegant, flavorful, complex, very complete wines.

Wine Advocate

90-92 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/1997

Since its acquisition by the Cathiard family, this property continues to be one of Bordeaux's shining success stories. The 1996 may be the finest wine yet made at the estate, which is saying something given how impressive recent wines have been. The color is a healthy saturated, nearly opaque purple. The nose offers intense aromas of black fruits, beautifully integrated, toasty new oak, minerals, and flowers. This concentrated, impressively delineated wine provides the quintessential marriage of power and finesse, richness without heaviness, purity without blandness, and character without sterility. Medium to full-bodied, and intensely flavorful in the mouth, it does not come across as heavy or overdone. As the wine sits in the glass, it unfolds to offer additional nuances, and an unmistakable perfume of blueberries. This is a structured, concentrated yet marvelously harmonious wine that should be at its best between 2004-2020. The price has not yet caught up with the quality of Smith-Haut-Lafitte - Bordeaux lovers take note!