Smith Haut Lafitte Rouge - Pessac-Léognan 2014

Vinous

91

byNeal Martinthe4/2/2024

The 2014 Smith Haut Lafitte has an outgoing, opulent bouquet with high-toned red fruit infused with meat juices, an Italian deli and a few black truffle shavings. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, fresh with a peppery mid-palate. Just a little attenuation towards the finish and not quite as vivacious as four years ago; nevertheless, it is a delicious Pessac-Léognan that is drinking ideally now, though I don't feel its longevity is as long as I originally predicted. Tasted at Bordeaux Index's 10-Year-On tasting.

Vinous

93

byNeal Martinthe3/28/2018

The 2014 Smith Haut-Lafitte has a much simpler bouquet than the 2014 Pape-Clément, with scents of pencil lead and cooked meat infusing the black fruit. The palate is well balanced with slightly firm tannin, moderate levels of acidity that segues to a very peppery and vivacious finish. This is a sophisticated and classy Pessac-Léognan, though I wonder if it is starting to close down? Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

Jeb DUNNUCK

93

byJeb Dunnuckthe11/30/2017

Wine Advocate

93

byNeal Martinthe11/10/2017

The 2014 Smith-Haut-Lafitte has a fragrant mulberry and strawberry scented bouquet with cedar and subtle undergrowth scents emerging with time. There is something almost Musigny-like here (written as a complement incidentally—why not be compared to the greatest Burgundy Grand Cru?). The palate is medium-bodied with a soft and mellow opening. Quite spicy in the mouth with leather-tinged fruit on the open and inviting finish, there is something very approachable about this Smith-Haut-Lafitte, though like the 2014 Pape-Clement, it contains the substance to drink well over 10-15 years.

Jamessuckling.com

96

byJames Sucklingthe2/16/2017

A big black-cherry and bitter-chocolate nose leads into a rich, concentrated palate, where the fruit easily holds sway over the powerful, dry tannins. It’s these that drive everything along right through to the assertive, slightly earthy finish; impressive long-term stuff! Try in 2021.

Wine Spectator

94

byJames Molesworththe2/8/2017

This has a generous feel, with ripe fig, boysenberry and blueberry compote fruit flavors that are entwined with alluring roasted apple wood, melted licorice and warm fruitcake notes. The broad, mouthcoating finish has a terrific graphite underpinning to stay honest. Best from 2020 through 2035. 10,000 cases made.

Vinous

94

byAntonio Gallonithe2/6/2017

In 2014 Smith Haut Lafitte produced an exceptionally soft, sexy Grand Vin. Dark cherry, plum, tobacco, licorice, menthol and red-toned fruit are all nicely delineated, while expressive floral notes give the wine a closing flourish of aromatic intensity. The 2014 is quite pretty, if a touch slender. It will drink well with minimal cellaring given its soft contours and supple, inviting personality. The blend is 62 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 30 % Merlot, 6 % Cabernet Franc and 2 % Petit Verdot. Tasted two times.

Vinous

93-96

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

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

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

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.  Drink 2024-2038

Asian Palate

91-92

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

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

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

byTim Atkin MWthe4/7/2015

René Gabriel

18

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

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.   — R.V. (3/30/2015)

Wine Spectator

93-96

byJames Molesworththe3/30/2015

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