Smith Haut Lafitte Rouge - Pessac-Léognan 2023
Château Smith Haut Lafitte, a cru that lives in symbiosis with Nature
In 1990, Florence and Daniel Cathiard fell in love with Château Smith Haut Lafitte. They purchased it with the firm intention of perpetuating the tradition of excellence of this noble wine. "Our philosophy can be summed up in one sentence: to do everything to ensure that each vintage, whether red or white, reflects our magnificent terroir."
Here, everything is done to preserve a living and harmonious ecosystem. The 80-hectare vineyard obtained the 'Organic Farming' label in 2019. The teams have implemented biodynamic practices, using their own medicinal plant garden to prevent diseases. They also have a preserved and natural nursery on the Isle of Lalande to cultivate their own rootstocks and thus maintain a unique identity for each grape variety, both white and red.
The 2023 vintage: the vintage of the future and the memory
The year 2023, a symbol of the future and the preservation of memories, stands out for several significant reasons. Firstly, it is during this year that the Château Smith Haut Lafitte wine blend gains in robustness thanks to an increased proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon, the flagship grape variety of the Left Bank. Cabernet Sauvignon forms the basis of the Smith Haut Lafitte grands crus, renowned for their ability to withstand the effects of global warming.
This year was also notable for the visit of His Majesty King Charles III, accompanied by Queen Camilla, who chose the estate's château to discover the production methods used during the grape harvest. Their interest in biodiversity and organic farming was an opportunity for the estate to share its values and commitments. This unique and enriching experience will be remembered as a highlight of 2023 for Smith Haut Lafitte.
Tasting notes:
« The nose is highly expressive with beautiful notes of red and black fruits, a lovely blend of Morello cherry, blueberry, and blackcurrant. Upon agitation, a spicy dimension becomes predominant with hints of cloves, licorice, and eucalyptus, followed by darker and smoky notes with touches of graphite and pencil lead. A superb aromatic complexity very typical of the great soils of Graves. The attack on the palate is straightforward and direct, with a beautiful density and superb texture. The wine is full-bodied, dense with a fine balance of freshness. The tannic structure is present, ripe, with a very beautiful texture and a velvety touch. The palate aromatics reflect those of the nose with a very nice complexity of red fruits, black fruits, spices, as well as nuances of tobacco leaves and eucalyptus. And still those graphite notes, very characteristic of our Smith Haut Lafitte. A very fine vintage combining power and elegance in a beautiful refined tannic structure » Fabien Teitgen, Winemaker