In Bond Fine Wine. 2022 Château Smith Haut Lafitte Smith Haut Lafitte Rouge, Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France. Grand Cru Classé • Red Bordeaux in 6x75cl. Top critic score: 98/100 (JA). Drinking window: 2027–2065. Sold in bond by Albany Vintners, independent fine wine merchants.
Since Daniel and Florence Cathiard acquired Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte in 1990, the estate has become one of Bordeaux’s great modern success stories and a true trailblazer in organic and biodynamic viticulture. Surrounded by forests, hedgerows and beehives, the magnificent single-block vineyard sits like a green island in the heart of Pessac Leognan, with the Cathiards’ relentless pursuit of quality transforming Smith Haut Lafitte into one of the leading estates of the Graves. The vineyard’s deep Günz gravel soils are central to the château’s identity, storing and reflecting warmth to ensure perfect ripening while forcing the vines to root deeply into the clay and limestone beneath. This exceptional terroir gives the wines their unmistakable signature: whites of remarkable freshness and subtle smoky complexity, and reds that combine richness, elegance and silky depth with beautifully re…
Neal Martin (NM) — 95/100 · Vinous · Drink 2029-2050
95+ Neal Martin, January 2026 The 2022 Smith Haut-Lafitte has another very refined and sophisticated bouquet, with discreet touches of white pepper and sage that season that black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, very well defined, with a dash of spice towards the peacock's tail finish. Very satisfying and vying for the best Pessac-Léognan in the flight. Tasted blind at the S…
William Kelley (WK) — 94–95/100 · Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com, 28/04/2023
The 2022 Smith Haut Lafitte opens in the glass with attractive aromas of cassis, spices, tobacco, graphite and licorice, followed by a medium to full-bodied palate that is deep and layered, with good depth and powdery structuring tannins that assert themselves on the finish. This blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot will require some patience, given i…
Antonio Galloni (AG) — 97/100 · Inside Bordeaux, 28/01/2025 · Drink 2027-2047
The 2022 Smith Haut Lafitte is silky, elegant and nuanced. It's all there. A wine of precision and class, the 2022 is so impressive. Refined, supple tannins wrap around a core of blue/purplish fruit, lavender, espresso and mocha. I find the 2022 a bit buttoned up today, but that is probably a very good thing for its long-term prospects. I look forward to seeing it age.