Smith Haut Lafitte Rouge 2005

Pessac-Leognan, Grand Cru Classé

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Tasting Notes
This sensational, opaque blue/purple-colored wine from Smith Haut Lafitte has a gorgeous floral nose with notes of graphite, blueberries, blackberries, and cassis that jump from the glass of this inky, very dense, yet strikingly pure wine. Light on its feet despite its stunning concentration and multi-layered mouthfeel, this wine has fabulous intensity, richness and length. Quite impressive, and still incredibly youthful, this is a superstar of the vintage, and capable of lasting another 25-30 years. Score: 98 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2015-2045 29 June 2015
One can’t say enough about the accomplishments the Cathiards have achieved at this property since 1990. Prior to their purchase of the property, appallingly diluted, vegetal, fruitless, charmless wines were produced, but they have turned Smith-Haut-Lafitte into a showcase Pessac-Leognan. The inky/blue/purple-tinged 2005's extraordinary nose reeks of charcoal, incense, scorched earth, abundant blackberry, blueberry, and cherry fruit, toast, and spice. Good acidity, huge but sweet tannin, and fabulous precision as well as definition characterize this full-bodied, super-concentrated effort. It should prove to be among the longest-lived wines yet made by the Cathiards. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2030+. Score: 95 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2015-2030 30 April 2008
This is another uncompromisingly made, gorgeous effort from Smith-Haut-Lafitte, a property that has done everything right since the new owners took over in 1990. The 2005's dense blue/purple color is accompanied by aromas of lead pencil shavings, espresso roast, blue and black fruits, and violets. Rich and dense with good acidity, high but sweet tannin, and an underlying minerality that is a characteristic of a top Graves, this beauty will require 5-7 years of cellaring, and should keep for three decades or more. Score: 93 - 95 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2012-2037 30 April 2007
I know it sounds like a broken record, but this may be the best Smith-Haut-Lafitte ever made. A prodigious effort, the 2005 boasts an inky/blue/purple color, sweet aromas of graphite, white chocolate, espresso, and blue, red, and black fruits, extraordinary density, moderately high tannin, medium body, fabulous layers, and an enticing texture. However, it comes across as delicate and fresh because of its acidity. This ageworthy Graves should last for 25-30+ years. Score: 93 - 95 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 30 April 2006
The Château Smith Haut Lafitte 2005 has quite a reserved bouquet, not the usual exuberant SHL-self, but it is very well defined and focused with that killer line of graphite lending it a Pauillac-like allure. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin and poise. This is a sophisticated Pessac-Leognan with real drive and penetration, a long-term wine that is reserved now but will certainly be motoring nicely along with another 5 years in bottle. Score: 94 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2018-2040 09 February 2015
Daniel and Florence Cathiard have been making very good wine here since they bought this Classed Growth in 1990. Deep ruby colour with a very sexy creamy nose. Full-bodied and ripe with clove and spice character along with some chocolate and Graves tarriness. The tannins are very smooth and well-integrated and the impression is very suave. Balanced and long. Score: - Albany Vintners, - 10 April 2006
Very lively nose with lots of richness underneath. Fine sandy tannins. Very zesty with some quite obvious sweetness. Lots of punch. Score: 17 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2016-2026 10 April 2006
A wine with blackberry and smoky wood. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a long finish. Delicious already. Could be best ever. Balanced and long. Gorgeous. Almost classic quality. Score: 92 - 94 James Suckling, Wine Spectator 01 April 2006

Tasting Notes

This sensational, opaque blue/purple-colored wine from Smith Haut Lafitte has a gorgeous floral nose with notes of graphite, blueberries, blackberries, and cassis that jump from the glass of this inky, very dense, yet strikingly pure wine. Light on its feet despite its stunning concentration and multi-layered mouthfeel, this wine has fabulous intensity, richness and length. Quite impressive, and still incredibly youthful, this is a superstar of the vintage, and capable of lasting another 25-30 years.

Score: 98

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2015-2045 29 June 2015

One can’t say enough about the accomplishments the Cathiards have achieved at this property since 1990. Prior to their purchase of the property, appallingly diluted, vegetal, fruitless, charmless wines were produced, but they have turned Smith-Haut-Lafitte into a showcase Pessac-Leognan. The inky/blue/purple-tinged 2005's extraordinary nose reeks of charcoal, incense, scorched earth, abundant blackberry, blueberry, and cherry fruit, toast, and spice. Good acidity, huge but sweet tannin, and fabulous precision as well as definition characterize this full-bodied, super-concentrated effort. It should prove to be among the longest-lived wines yet made by the Cathiards. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2030+.

Score: 95

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2015-2030 30 April 2008

This is another uncompromisingly made, gorgeous effort from Smith-Haut-Lafitte, a property that has done everything right since the new owners took over in 1990. The 2005's dense blue/purple color is accompanied by aromas of lead pencil shavings, espresso roast, blue and black fruits, and violets. Rich and dense with good acidity, high but sweet tannin, and an underlying minerality that is a characteristic of a top Graves, this beauty will require 5-7 years of cellaring, and should keep for three decades or more.

Score: 93 - 95

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2012-2037 30 April 2007

I know it sounds like a broken record, but this may be the best Smith-Haut-Lafitte ever made. A prodigious effort, the 2005 boasts an inky/blue/purple color, sweet aromas of graphite, white chocolate, espresso, and blue, red, and black fruits, extraordinary density, moderately high tannin, medium body, fabulous layers, and an enticing texture. However, it comes across as delicate and fresh because of its acidity. This ageworthy Graves should last for 25-30+ years.

Score: 93 - 95

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 30 April 2006

The Château Smith Haut Lafitte 2005 has quite a reserved bouquet, not the usual exuberant SHL-self, but it is very well defined and focused with that killer line of graphite lending it a Pauillac-like allure. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin and poise. This is a sophisticated Pessac-Leognan with real drive and penetration, a long-term wine that is reserved now but will certainly be motoring nicely along with another 5 years in bottle.

Score: 94

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2018-2040 09 February 2015

Daniel and Florence Cathiard have been making very good wine here since they bought this Classed Growth in 1990. Deep ruby colour with a very sexy creamy nose. Full-bodied and ripe with clove and spice character along with some chocolate and Graves tarriness. The tannins are very smooth and well-integrated and the impression is very suave. Balanced and long.

Score: -

Albany Vintners, - 10 April 2006

Very lively nose with lots of richness underneath. Fine sandy tannins. Very zesty with some quite obvious sweetness. Lots of punch.

Score: 17

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2016-2026 10 April 2006

A wine with blackberry and smoky wood. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a long finish. Delicious already. Could be best ever. Balanced and long. Gorgeous. Almost classic quality.

Score: 92 - 94

James Suckling, Wine Spectator 01 April 2006

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