Château Smith Haut Lafitte - Pessac-Léognan rouge 2013

Wine Advocate

90 / 100

par Neal Martin le 28/10/2016

The 2013 Smith-Haut-Lafitte has a composed and quite refined bouquet, certainly one of the best that I have encountered on the Left Bank, with wild strawberry mixed with cedar and a touch of graphite. The palate is smooth on the entry, the oak nicely integrated, almost Pinot-like in texture with a prickle of spice on the finish. Recommended for the vintage, this constitutes a very respectable Pessac-Léognan from the Cathiard family in what was a difficult vintage.

La Revue du Vin de France

16,5 / 20

par Philippe Maurange le 01/09/2016

La bouche allie une maturité poussée du fruit à un élevage légèrement toasté qui lui confère une forme de séduction très plaisante. Elle est franche, expressive, avec de la constitution, des tannins et de la mâche en finale. Le vin se distingue par un supplément de chair.

Wine Spectator

89 / 100

le 31/03/2016

Jamessuckling.com

92 / 100

par James Suckling le 15/02/2016

Aromas of plums, vine bark and hints of chocolate. Full body, firm and velvety tannins and a long finish. Give it two or three years to soften. Excellent for the vintage. 60% cabernet sauvignon, 35% merlot, and a touch of cabernet franc and petit verdot.

Wine Advocate

86-88 / 100

par Robert Parker le 29/08/2014

The Cathiard family has fashioned a medium-bodied, light-styled 2013 Smith Haut Lafitte exhibiting a medium dark ruby color, attractive red and black currant fruit, a hint of graphite, and a one-dimensional mouthfeel. If it puts on weight and depth, it may merit a higher score. Based on this estate’s perfect wines in 2009, 2010 and great 2008, the so-so 2013 is somewhat disappointing. It should drink well for 6-10 years.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

86-89 / 100

par Stephen Tanzer le 16/05/2014

(60% cabernet sauvignon, 35% merlot, 4% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot; 60% new oak): Bright red. Aromatic herbs complicate minty strawberry and cinnamon aromas; this seems quite backward still. Juicy acidity lifts the simple but smooth red cherry, clove and licorice flavors. Much less green and tannic than most other 2013 reds. Stephane Derenoncourt, the consulting enologist here, told me he thought the merlot planted on clay-limestone plots at Smith Haut Lafitte gave the wine a sexy minty violet note that was especially obvious this year.

timatkin.com

92 / 100

par Tim Atkin MW le 07/05/2014

The red wine isn’t quite up to the standard of the white this year, which is a reflection of the vintage conditions as much as anything. This is still stylishly oaked, refined and well structured, with tangy acidity and good palate length. It just needs a little more fruit.

matthewjukes.com

17 / 20

par Matthew Jukes le 23/04/2014

Oaky and pumped-up, there is a core of good fruit here with depth and blackberry purity. Good potential but tannins will hold it back for a while!

Jancis Robinson

15 / 20

par Richard Hemmings le 22/04/2014

Redcurrant fruit, milk chocolate, light body and pretty aggressive tannins. Stubborn and hard on the palate.

Vinous

90-93 / 100

par Antonio Galloni le 18/04/2014

One of the most exciting wines of the year, the 2013 Smith Haut Lafitte graces the palate with an exotic melange of dark red/black fruit, violets, menthol, new leather, crushed rocks and dried herbs. The 2013 doesn't have the grip or structure of the very best years, but it is nevertheless striking and will drink well pretty much right out of the gate. This is an especially tender, young Smith Haut Lafitte. The 2013 is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot.

Wine Advocate

90-92 / 100

par Neal Martin le 15/04/2014

The 2013 Smith Haut Lafitte is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. It is bestowed with a fragrant bouquet, floral and quasi-Margaux in style, with a hint of seaweed developing with time. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins and lifted acidity. It feels a little pinched towards the finish at the moment, although that will soften by the time of bottling. This is a more classic Smith Haut Lafitte, but there is nothing wrong with that.

Jamessuckling.com

91-92 / 100

par James Suckling le 08/04/2014

This is very, very fresh with a bright berry and currant character. Medium to full body with fine tannins. Very pretty finish. Subtle and delicate. 60% cabernet sauvignon, 35% merlot and a touch of cabernet franc and petit verdot.

Wine Spectator

89-92 / 100

par James Molesworth le 03/04/2014

Open and fresh, with a caressing edge to the plum, raspberry and lilac notes, lined with a subtle twinge of singed vanilla on the finish. Restrained for now, but shows lovely length. —J.M.

René Gabriel

17 / 20

par René Gabriel le 03/04/2014

Eine halbe Ernte. Dunkles Granat, recht satt in der Mitte, rubiner Rand. Das Bouquet ist so laktisch, dass es schon fast milchig wirkt, dahinter dezent gekochte Fruchtnoten, Redcurrant, Preiselbeeren, rotes Cassis, Heidelbeeren und Vanillin.