Tasting Notes
Vinous 94
The 2009 Smith Haut-Lafitte has a very perfumed, quite floral bouquet with violets permeating the black and red fruit, hints of game and leather developing with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin. Touches of brown spice filter through the red fruit and towards a fleshy and lightly peppered finish. This is a classy Pessac-Léognan from the Cathiard’s…though, the 2016 is better! Tasted blind at Farr Vintners’ 2009 Bordeaux tasting.
Anticipated maturity: 2020-2050
Robert Parker 94
Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. The Smith Haut Lafitte ’09 offered one of the comeliest bouquets in the blind flight of Pessac-Leognan wines: more restrained but showing brilliant delineation and clarity: undergrowth, cigar box and touches of incense infusing the black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannins. This is an assertive wine determined to make an impression, with a bold multi-layered finish that suggest it will need at least a decade ageing. Tasted January 2013.
JancisRobinson.com 17/20
Tasted blind. Dark, lustrous crimson. Some evolution at the rim. Very rich ” almost toffee and malted milk! Not to my taste but some will love it. A bit dry on the end. Dramatic, certainly.
Anticipated maturity: 2022-2037
