Smith Haut Lafitte Rouge - Pessac-Léognan 2016

Vinous

95

byNeal Martinthe8/13/2020

The 2016 Smith Haut-Lafitte has an opulent, lavish bouquet with layers of black cherry, Christmas cake, dark chocolate and vanilla. This wants to make an impression. The palate is very seductive, featuring lush red berry fruit, brown spices and saturated tannins. Some new oak is evident on the finish, but that will be subsumed with bottle age. I can see this aging well. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. 95+

Jancis Robinson

17

byJancis Robinsonthe2/5/2020

Yvesbeck.wine

100

byYves Beckthe3/20/2019

Pourpre violacé. Bouquet complexe, intense, aux notes épicées, florales et fruitées. Touche de violettes et d'iris. C'est un nez aux multiples facettes alliant des notes de bois de réglisse, de myrtilles et de groseilles. Finalement, à l’aération je relève des touches fumées, que l'on retrouve ci et là dans les vins de cette appellation ainsi que des notes de poivre noir. Finalement, je relève très bien le Cabernet Sauvignon ! Oui, ça sent le raisin et le vin, j'aime cette manière de si bien poser le côté variétal, un terme galvaudé, du Cabernet Sauvignon ! Attaque intense, racée, friande et crémeuse. Très bel équilibre entre les notes charmantes et la finesse de tannins. Ces derniers sont parfaitement intégrés et assurent idéalement les arrières en compagnie de la structure. Ils sont denses, puissants mais laissent suffisamment d'espace aux autres éléments. Un très grand Smith Haut Lafitte qui prend possession du palais d'une manière subtile mais conséquente. Il est grand, très grand et il est certainement un des, si ce n'est LE, meilleur Smith Haut Lafitte de tous les temps ! Il ira loin, si on en a assez en cave, car je crains que, au vu du plaisir qu'il procure déjà si jeune, qu'il sera difficile d'être patient ! 2024-2051 100/100

Jeb DUNNUCK

97

byJeb Dunnuckthe3/1/2019

White flowers, crushed rocks, oyster shell, and racy grapefruit and citrus notes all emerge from the 2016 Les Hauts de Smith Blanc, which is based all on Sauvignon. It’s concentrated, with bright acidity and a clean, crisp finish as well as medium-bodied richness and depth. It’s a beautiful, classic Graves Blanc to drink over the coming decade or more.

Wine Spectator

97

byJames Molesworththe2/5/2019

Quite ripe, with lush waves of cassis, cherry preserve and raspberry puree flavors gliding through in no hurry, but maintaining definition and cut along the way as bramble, tar and melted licorice snap notes slowly emerge throughout. The finish features an intense echo of pastis and sweet tobacco, showing serious latent grip. Best from 2023 through 2038. 8,333 cases made.  –JM

Jamessuckling.com

97

byJames Sucklingthe2/4/2019

The blackcurrant and blueberry aromas are lifted and beautiful. Lots of flowers, too, together with some mushroom and dried-flower undertones. Full-bodied with firm and very silky tannins giving a lovely texture. Bright acidity lifts the finish and gives it drive and force. Better after 2025.

Vinous

97

byNeal Martinthe1/24/2019

The 2016 Smith Haut Lafitte has a more discreet bouquet than I expected, and it takes a couple of minutes to open in the glass, revealing blackberry, briar, a touch of pressed iris and a wet limestone aroma. There is less tobacco than I expected, and a stonier style. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannin, perhaps the finest I’ve encountered in 20 years of visiting this estate. Very feminine and beautifully structured, and the 60% new oak is seamlessly assimilated. Extremely impressive and beguiling. This will be an irresistible Smith Haut Lafitte that gives 30 to 40 years of drinking pleasure.

Vinous

98

byAntonio Gallonithe1/21/2019

The 2016 Smith Haut Lafitte is flat out stunning. Rich, ample and explosive, the 2016 possesses tremendous energy and tension to play off the wine's dark, rich fruit. I am not sure I have ever tasted a young Smith Haut Lafitte with such extraordinary balanc 2016, the Grand Vin is tense and pulsing with energy. Hints of lavender, spice, menthol and crème de cassis open up in the glass, but the 2016 stands out for its feel and exceptional harmony. The combined effects of picking a bit early, vinifiying more gentl reducing the impact of oak are having a profound effect at Smith Haut Lafitte. Thinking of some of the highly regarded wines of the last decade here, the 2009 and 2010 in particular, well, the 2016 is on another level. This is magnificent showing from proprietors Florence and Daniel Cathiard, and their team led by Technical Director Fabien Teitgen.

Wine Advocate

98

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe11/30/2018

Composed of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot and matured in 60% new oak for 18 months, the 2016 Smith Haut Lafitte has a very deep garnet-purple color, opening with sensuous scents of warm black cherries, blackberry pie, star anise and fragrant lilacs with hints of chocolate box, cigar box and pencil lead plus wafts of truffles and crushed rocks. Medium to full-bodied, rich and seductive, it completely fills the palate with perfumed black berry preserves and superbly plush tannins, finishing epically long and beautifully layered.

WeinWisser

18

byTjark Witzgallthe5/22/2017

65 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 30 % Merlot, 4 % Cabernet Franc, 1 % Petit Verdot, 60 % neue Barriques, weniger Alkohol als 2010 oder 2014. Tiefes Granat. Verführerische Nase mit reifen Heidelbeeren, Schattenmorellen, Fliederund Brombeergelee, dahinter Kokos, Kurkuma (süsses Gewürz) und Schokonoten. Am Gaumen seidige Textur mit stützendem Tannin, der engmaschige Körper zeigt sich präsent und kleidet den Gaumen voll aus. Man unterschätzt den femininen Start, danach schlägt er zu, kann noch zulegen! Hat Frische, Süsse und Länge. Fabien Teitgen berichtet von einer Besonderheit: Die Kerne waren dieses Jahr früher reif als die Schalen!

Bettane & Desseauve

96-97

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/3/2017

Complexe, subtil, tannin très harmonieux, grande longueur, sans doute le plus abouti de toute son histoire récente.

Wine Advocate

96-98

byNeal Martinthe5/2/2017

The 2016 Smith-Haut-Lafitte is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot that was picked between 29 September and 19 October at 35 hectoliters per hectare. It is being matured in 60% new oak for a total of 18 months. "We have never been so proud of our Cabernet Sauvignon," winemaker Fabien Tietgen told me. Now, this has a much subtler bouquet than recent vintages, you could argue, more intellectual than the 2015 Smith-Haut-Lafitte. First there are aromas of blackberry, briary and just a hint of iodine, then underneath that, marine-like aromas such as freshly shucked oyster shells, pressed flowers and a touch of brown spice. There is wonderful delineation here. The palate is medium-bodied with plenty of tightly-wound black fruit, intermingling with smoke, black pepper, spice box and a touch of bay leaf. This is an extremely precise Smith-Haut-Lafitte, certainly a cerebral 2016 that might well be approachable young, yet will certainly age in consummate style. The château's own tasting note reads "What more could one possibly want from a wine?" The answer to that is: "Another bottle."

The Wine Cellar Insider

96-98

byJeff Levethe4/27/2017

With a good depth of color, the wine is almost opaque with dark purple accents. Espresso, smoke, black fruits, wet earth, licorice, truffle and dark chocolate come right out, when asked. Full bodied, fat and opulent, with serious density, length, character and tannins. The tannins are ripe, but this is going to need time in the cellar, even with all the ripe, supple fruits. The wine was made from a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, reaching 13.75% alcohol with a Ph of 3.7, the harvest took place from September 22 to October 12 and the Grand Vin represents just 40% of the harvest. 

Vinous

94-97

byAntonio Gallonithe4/26/2017

The 2016 Smith Haut Lafitte is fabulous. Subtle, nuanced and classy, it speaks to finesse more than power. All the elements fall into place effortlessly. Gracious and light on its feet, the 2016 possesses exceptional balance and class, with captivating freshness and energy that gives lift to the dark red/purplish-hued fruit. There is much to like here.

Decanter.com

97

byJane Ansonthe4/25/2017

This is gorgeous, extremely ripe, tight, fresh and rich. It has clear, deep tannins and a thrilling tension that slices right through the ripe, autumnal fruit and teases out the finish. There are true layers to the wine, with flavours of cassis, liquorice and charcoal, demonstrating a reserved power that keeps on delivering. The tannin count is at a full 100IPT, a touch higher than in 2010 but they just float along, offering the perfect resistance and interest in your mouth. Technical director Fabien Teitgen used 10% stems in the vinification for 2016, utilising organic winemaking methods. The blend is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet franc and 1% Petit Verdot, aged in 60% new oak barrels. 3.6pH. Drinking Window 2027 - 2050

matthewjukes.com

18

byMatthew Jukesthe4/25/2017

(65 Cabernet Sauvignon, 30 Merlot, 4 Cabernet Franc, 1 Petit Verdot) | 60% new oak | 13.5% alc. With a velvety texture and a more buoyant and silky feel than many other wine, this is a superb SHL with a very elegant aroma. The tannins are quite fierce and it will require some years to settle, but the wild berry fruit on the finish is superb and the tone throughout is remarkable. 18+

Jancis Robinson

17,5

byJancis Robinsonthe4/21/2017

Blackish crimson. Nose that manages to combine flesh and ripeness with freshness. Some restraint here and some very natural flavours. A quiet king. Great appetising wine with the ripeness of the vintage. Very classy.