Smith Haut Lafitte Rouge 2003

Pessac-Leognan, Grand Cru Classé

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Tasting Notes

The opulent, accessible 2003 offers a dense plum/ruby-tinged color and a big, sweet bouquet of creme de cassis, smoked herbs, lead pencil, and subtle wood. It is a deep, fleshy, medium to full-bodied offering with low acidity, a plump, opulent texture, and a heady finish. Enjoy this beauty over the next 15+ years.

Score: 92

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2006-2021 30 April 2006

Broad, expansive, and more forward in style than usual, this deep ruby/purple-colored wine offers aromas of scorched earth, espresso roast, sweet plum and black currant fruit, and a hint of white chocolate. Full-bodied, with elegance allied with fleshy tobacco and spice box notes, it is a chewy, fleshy, attractive, pure example of Smith-Haut-Lafitte. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2020. An estate run impeccably by the Cathiard family, Smith-Haut-Lafitte has been one of the bright shining stars of Bordeaux since the mid-1990s.

Score: 90 - 93

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2007-2020 30 April 2005

Surprisingly soft (a characteristic of this low acid, ripe year), the 2003 Smith-Haut-Lafitte displays a deep plum/purple color as well as an attractive perfume of roasted coffee, spice box, earth, and copious quantities of red and black fruits. As it sits in the glass, scents of white chocolate and coffee emerge. With low acidity and ripe fruit (the jammy black currant and cherry characteristics reveal unexpected freshness), this evolved Pessac-Leognan is best consumed between 2005-2014.

Score: 90 - 92

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2005-2014 30 April 2004