Petit Smith Haut Lafitte rouge - Pessac-Léognan 2020

Wine Spectator

87 / 100

byJames Molesworththe3/31/2023

Direct, with cassis, savory and mulled spice hints in the mix, finishing with a cedary pinch. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Drink now through 2025. 6,000 cases made, 1,500 cases imported.

Jeb DUNNUCK

94 / 100

byJeb Dunnuckthe3/30/2023

A more structured, serious wine, the more Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated 2020 Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte has pure cassis and ripe black cherry fruits as well as medium to full-bodied richness, ripe, velvety tannins, classic notes of leafy tobacco and spice, and a great finish. It stays in the pure, focused style of the vintage and is going to benefit from 3-4 years of bottle age. It will keep for 10-15.

The Wine Cellar Insider

93 / 100

byJeff Levethe3/22/2023

Vibrant, fresh, lifted and elegant, it takes no effort to dig into the glass and find all of the layers of chocolate-covered plums, currants, cherries, licorice, smoke and salt-edged tannins. Medium-bodied with opulence and vibrance, this could be my favorite vintage of Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte produced yet. Drink from 2024-2040.

Vinous

94 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe2/24/2023

The 2020 Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte is a gorgeous second wine. Dark cherry, grilled herbs, menthol, licorice, plum, spice and tobacco infuse the 2020 with striking aromatic nuance. Cabernet Sauvignon drives the blend, and that is very much in evidence in the wine's flavor profile and overall structure. There's terrific depth and density here, not to mention tons of character.

Le Figaro

90-91 / 100

the6/2/2021

Un nez riche et décadent de prunes et de mûres qui se prolonge par des notes de feuilles de tabac séché. En bouche, beaucoup de mâche, quelque chose de sanguin et de carinvore, avec une finale pourtant très juteuse. On lui prédit un potentiel de garde supérieur à sa consœur Les Hauts de Smith.

Decanter.com

93 / 100

byJane Ansonthe5/25/2021

This is laden with cassis and bilberry - Cabernet dominant, with clearly defined muscles. Juicy and elegant, I love this, it is less approachable now than the Petit Haut de Smith, but hugely enjoyable, and has the precision that is the mark of the good wines in this vintage. A touch of austerity on the finish. 30% new oak.

The Wine Cellar Insider

91-93 / 100

byJeff Levethe5/21/2021

Deep in color, the complex nose shows off its floral, spice, smoke, tobacco, olive, herb and currant profile with ease. On the palate, the wine is fresh, sweet, lifted and juicy, with a beautiful sweetness to the fruits, silky tannins and a soft, round, polished endnote. The wine is made from a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot

Wine Advocate

91-93 / 100

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe5/20/2021

Composed of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, aging in 30% new barriques, the 2020 Le Petit Haut Lafitte has a deep garnet-purple color, rolling out of the glass with alluring scents of blackberry preserves, Black Forest cake and warm cassis, plus wafts of red roses and cinnamon toast with a hint of dried mint. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers plush tannins and soft acidity to support the generous, juicy black fruits, finishing on a lingering minty note.

Anthocyanes

93-95 / 100

byYohan Castaingthe5/11/2021

Très beau nez de cabernet bien mûrs, bourgeon de cassis, épices, un peu poivre avec des notes florales subtiles. Bouche juteuse, texture charnue, des tanins structurants et élégants pour un vin très frais, un peu violette et mure. Quel éclat de fruit ! Magnifique. Un des plus jolis de la propriété. Bravo !

Falstaff

91-93 / 100

the5/5/2021

Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Reife schwarze Kirschen, ein Hauch von Lakritze, zarter Edelholztouch, Nuancen von Kar- damom. Saftig, elegant, dunkle Waldbeeren, integrierte Tannine, gute Würze, miner- alisch, schokoladiger Anklang, bleibt gut haften.

Jamessuckling.com

93-94 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe5/3/2021

This is a tight, more tannic Petit with a medium to full body and linear, racy phenolics. Blackberries, blueberries and some pine needles and stones. 60% cabernet sauvignon and 40% merlot.