Château Smith Haut Lafitte - Red Pessac-Léognan 2014

Vinous

93-96 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe5/11/2015

The 2014 Smith Haut Lafitte is quite supple and textured in the glass, with lovely understated richness and impeccable overall balance. The least expressive of the 2014s I tasted at the estate, the Grand Vin is all finesse. Silky tannins and distinctly red-hued fruit are two of the signatures in an exceptionally polished wine endowed with fabulous overall balance. Sweet floral and mint notes add striking aromatic lift. Quite simply, although the 2014 is magnificent, it is also far from obvious in style. This is about as refined a 2014 as I came across during the two weeks I spent in Bordeaux. The blend is 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.

The Wine Cellar Insider

93-94 / 100

byJeff Levethe5/5/2015

With a deep color and a spicy-fruit-cigar-box sensation, the black and red fruits really shine through. There is a plush character to the texture with newness and lift, a touch of oak and sweet, ripe, spicy berries in the finish. From a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, the wine reached 13.7% alcohol with a pH of 3.7. 93-94 Pts

Wine Advocate

92-94 / 100

byNeal Martinthe4/30/2015

The Château Smith Haut Lafitte 2014 is a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, cropped at 35 hectoliters per hectare that is matured in 65% new barrels. There is a strong and persuasive marine influence on the nose, suggestions of iodine and seaweed infusing the black fruit that is very well defined and nicely embroidered with the oak. The palate is medium-bodied with edgy, slightly chalky tannin; saline in the mouth and linear, focused, quite penetrating finish. In a similar fashion to the Haut-Bailly, this is a more "athletic" Smith Haut Lafitte, but one that allows the terroir to come through and be articulated. This is a stylish "S.H.L." from talented winemaker Fabien Teitgen.

Jancis Robinson

16,5 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe4/22/2015

The oak is a bit too obvious on the nose at this point and the fruit is pretty chunky and maybe a bit too vigorously extracted. Rather a heavy hand. But it certainly makes its mark. And it’s impressively persistent. 

Asian Palate

91-92 / 100

byJeannie Cho Lee MWthe4/20/2015

A discrete, quite restrained, elegant red with ripe tannins and dark berry fruit. There are savory herbs and spices on the finish. The wine is quiet and not that expressive at the moment but the tannins are well managed and there is good flavor intensity on the mid-palate. A wine to watch as it evolves over the next decade.

Decanter.com

18,25 / 20

byJane Ansonthe4/17/2015

They have so nailed the 'full extraction without making it obvéous' trick at this property. Clearly high oak and firm tannins but rich, enrobed, black coffee and rich damson fruit, will age well, get really fine tannic structure, but with the slightly glamorous house style, the Mouton of Pessac-Léognan. Lovely. The vibrancy and integrity of the fruit from their biodyanmic/organic work in the vineyard is very clear. Drink: 2024-2040 (94)

Jamessuckling.com

95-96 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/10/2015

This is a very muscular style of Smith Haut Lafitte with great bio-precision that equates to intense flavors and textures. Mineral, stone, blueberry and wet earth. Long, persistent and solid. A classic Bordeaux style yet rich and exact.

timatkin.com

95 / 100

byTim Atkin MWthe4/7/2015

René Gabriel

18 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe4/1/2015

Tiefes Purpur, satt in der Mitte, Granatschimmer am Rand. Spontan gefällt das Bouquet von allen verkosteten Léognanweinen am besten. Das Nasenbild beginnt mit einem Hauch Kokos und Caramel. Im zweiten Ansatz; eine schön reife Frucht zeigend, welche zwischen roten und blauen Beeren schwingt, dann kommt eine fein hölzerne Konturen in Nasenbild. Im Gaumen stoffig, wieder mit vielen Beeren bespickt, akzentuierte Muskeln zeigend, an sich gross, aber auch etwas technisch wirkender Wein. Damit willich sagen, dass die Jahrgangsvorgabe korrektiv angegangen wurde. Oder halt die extrahiert wirkenden Tannine in der Adstringenz eine ziemlich grosszügige Strenge bewirken. Er muss seine Wertung, bis zu Flaschenabfüllung noch beweisen. Er somit knapp der beste Rotwein aus Léognan, muss sich aber von der Pessac-Elite geschlagen geben. 18/20 2022 – 2044

Wine Enthusiast

95 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/1/2015

94–96. Barrel Sample. This is a powerful, dark fruited wine, with firm tannins and a dense texture of solid, dry tannins that gives weight. A freshness comes through at the end, making this a finely balanced wine.

Wine Spectator

93-96 / 100

byJames Molesworththe3/30/2015

This has nice spine, with a persistent graphite and ganache character that runs through the core of dark plum and black
currant fruit. The grip is well-embedded and there's lingering freshness despite the heft and depth. This will likely fill out
more with time.