Château Smith Haut Lafitte Rouge - Pessac-Léognan 2005 6b11bd6ba9341f0271941e7df664d056

Wine Advocate

98 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe6/30/2015

This sensational, opaque blue/purple-colored wine from Smith Haut Lafitte has a gorgeous floral nose with notes of graphite, blueberries, blackberries, and cassis that jump from the glass of this inky, very dense, yet strikingly pure wine. Light on its feet despite its stunning concentration and multi-layered mouthfeel, this wine has fabulous intensity, richness and length. Quite impressive, and still incredibly youthful, this is a superstar of the vintage, and capable of lasting another 25-30 years.

Jancis Robinson

17 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe2/9/2015

Dark crimson. High toned and spicy. Lots tucked in there for the future. Masses of tannin promises well for the future but it’s all a little embryonic for now. Even slightly medicinal. Definitely not for now. Sweeter and spicier than the Domaine de Chevalier tasted alongside. 

La Revue du Vin de France

17 / 20

the10/20/2014

Superbe couleur et grande expression au nez. Des notes de fruits mûrs, d'épices avec un toasté fin et élégant participent pleinement à sa complexité. On retrouve en bouche cette famille aromatique avec une matière de très belle tenue, des tanins encore vigoureux. Un très beau vin, complet, long, structuré et dense, encore loin de son apogée.

Guide de la RVF des meilleurs vins de France

18 / 10

the9/17/2009

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

93 / 100

byStephen Tanzerthe6/30/2008

Good fresh red-ruby color. Reticent but pure aromas of plum, mocha and tobacco. This began sweet and dense but a bit sullen, then exploded with aeration to show sharply delineated flavors of plum, tobacco, hot stones and smoked meat. Wonderfully fat and full wine that spreads out on the back to saturate the entire palate. This makes the '07 seem peppery and high-pitched in comparison. Very long on the aftertaste. I asked technical director Teitgen to name his favorite recent vintages in Pessac-Leognan, and he listed 1998, 2001 and 2005.

Wine Advocate

95 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe5/7/2008

One can’t say enough about the accomplishments the Cathiards have achieved at this property since 1990. Prior to their purchase of the property, appallingly diluted, vegetal, fruitless, charmless wines were produced, but they have turned Smith-Haut-Lafitte into a showcase Pessac-Leognan. The inky/blue/purple-tinged 2005's extraordinary nose reeks of charcoal, incense, scorched earth, abundant blackberry, blueberry, and cherry fruit, toast, and spice. Good acidity, huge but sweet tannin, and fabulous precision as well as definition characterize this full-bodied, super-concentrated effort. It should prove to be among the longest-lived wines yet made by the Cathiards. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2030+.

Wine Spectator

93 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/22/2008

Jancis Robinson

17.50 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe11/21/2007

Toasty oak and mocha aromas. refined, restained, classy with really good depth of fruit. Very very fine tannins. Long and elegant.

Wine Advocate

93-95 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe5/4/2007

This is another uncompromisingly made, gorgeous effort from Smith-Haut-Lafitte, a property that has done everything right since the new owners took over in 1990. The 2005's dense blue/purple color is accompanied by aromas of lead pencil shavings, espresso roast, blue and black fruits, and violets. Rich and dense with good acidity, high but sweet tannin, and an underlying minerality that is a characteristic of a top Graves, this beauty will require 5-7 years of cellaring, and should keep for three decades or more.

Wein Wisser

19 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe5/31/2006

Violet pourpre soutenu. Le bouquet superbe présente des arômes de cerise et de très belles note de torréfaction : nuances de nois, café torréfié clair, tabac dominicain ; grande complexité. Vélouté en bouche, avec des tanins riches d'une grande souplesse, un fruit d'une sucrosité incroyable et pleine de fraîcher, et une fin de bouche dévoilant les très prometteuses réserves de ce vin. Avec ce grandiose millésime 2005, le rêve que caressait Daniel Cathiard de faire un jour partie des meilleurs de l'Appellation est devenu réalité. 2012-2030

Le Point

17 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe5/31/2006

Floral, tabac, épices douces mêlées aux fruits noirs, la densité en bouche n'est pas contradictoire avec l'élégance, petits tanins ronds et soyeux, vin droit, séveux, sans les petits creux ou les pics de dureté d'autrefois. Le meilleur Smith que nous ayons goûté et sans doute une sorte d'aboutissement pour ceux qui ont réinventé ce cru. Optimum : 2012. Garde : 20 ans.

Wine Advocate

93-95 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe5/1/2006

I know it sounds like a broken record, but this may be the best Smith-Haut-Lafitte ever made. A prodigious effort, the 2005 boasts an inky/blue/purple color, sweet aromas of graphite, white chocolate, espresso, and blue, red, and black fruits, extraordinary density, moderately high tannin, medium body, fabulous layers, and an enticing texture. However, it comes across as delicate and fresh because of its acidity. This ageworthy Graves should last for 25-30+ years.

Wine Spectator

92-94 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe3/30/2006

A wine with blackberry and smoky wood. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a long finish. Delicious already. Could be best ever. Balanced and long. Gorgeous. Almost classic quality. —J.S.

La Revue du Vin de France

5 / 20

the5/31/2005

Très serré avec de beaux arômes épicés qui rebondissent en finale : Smith a réalisé en 2005 son plus beau vin depuis 40 ans.