Wine Advisor
Smith Haut Lafitte 1998
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
This is potentially the finest wine made under the administration of the Cathiards. The deep ruby/purple color is followed by an elegant melange of floral scents, black cherry liqueur, cassis, minerals, and subtle new oak. The wine hits the palate in layers, with little sense of weight, and nicely integrated sweet tannin. A hallmark of purity, symmetry, and complexity, this beautifully-etched, expansively flavored wine should age well. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2022.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
This deep ruby/purple-colored, nicely-concentrated, layered 1998 offers pure cassis, mineral, tobacco, and toasty new oak aromas, medium body, and outstanding balance. The fruit is ripe and fleshy, and the tannin and acidity are beautifully integrated. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2018.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
A beautiful wine of symmetry, finesse, and elegance, this deep ruby/purple-colored offering reveals classic aromas of black currants, new wood, and scorched earth. This pure, medium-bodied, restrained, measured, graceful 1998 offers impressive overall symmetry as well as well-integrated tannin. Anticipated maturity: 2003-2018.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 1998 Smith Haut Lafitte was the vintage that signified a property that was about to be rejuvenated under Florance and Daniel Cathiard, although there was still a long way to go. Now at 20 years old, perhaps it is beginning to show its age on the nose and it has far less fruit, the aromatics dominated by cigar box and tertiary, almost leathery scents. But there is freshness here and it is almost like a Médoc in style. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly rustic tannin on the entry, a little dry in the mouth with a touch of attenuation towards the finish. Having not tasted this before, I hazard a guess that it may have peaked around a decade ago, so why not pop open any bottles you might have? Tasted at the château.
Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer
Medium red. Complex aromas of currant, tobacco and smoke. Dry-edged in the manner of the vintage, but vinous and precise, with subdued sweetness and solid structure. Finishes with firm but rather sweet tannins and very good length. A classic, elegant style of Smith Haut Lafitte.
Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer
Saturated deep ruby. Vibrant aromas of cassis, blackberry, licorice and bitter chocolate. Dense, sweet and thick; in a very fruity but full style, with good backbone and freshness. Tannins are covered by ripe, strong back-end fruit. This should be excellent.
Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer
Bright medium ruby. Highly aromatic nose of roasted plum, black cherry, currant, meat and smoke. Lush, sweet and pliant in the mouth, with noteworthy concentration. But the flavors are not especially forthcoming today. Finishes very long and sweet, with even tannins.
About the Producer
Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte is located in the village of Martillac in the Pessac-Leognan appellation, south of Bordeaux, France, and is a Grand Cru of the Graves appellation. The Château Smith Haut Lafitte complex is quite large, with a château, winery and large underground cellars, as well as a sizeable resort hotel (Les Sources de Caudalie), the Caudalie Vinotherapie Spa, the Caudalie restaurant, and the gardens, water and wine garden. The courtyard also features gardens, flowing water and a number of artistic sculptures, including a sculpture by Barry Flanagan called "The Flying Rabbit", as well as wonderful works by Chinese sculptor Huang Yongping and Italian artist Mimmo Paladino, among others. The Smith Haut Lafitte winery Smithers Lafitte has 78 hectares of vineyards planted with 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, while the white varieties include 90% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Petit Verdot. Sauvignon Blanc, 5% of Sauvignon Gris and 5% of Semillon. The average age of the red vines is 38 years and the average age of the white vines is 40 years. The wines are fermented in stainless steel tanks or in large oak barrels, depending on the variety and the plot. After fermentation, the red wines are aged for 18 months in 60% new barrels and the white wines for 12 months in 50% new barrels. The wines are not filtered before bottling and have a unique, slightly smoky aroma that fully reflects the true nature of the Graves origin. The winery is currently being upgraded and will be 100% gravity-fed when the renovation is complete. The grapes are harvested at perfect ripeness, gently broken and fermented to extract the smoothest and softest tannins and flavours, and the wine is then aged for several years to reveal its qualities: crisp and complex aromas, balanced and full-bodied, elegant and firm on the palate. Currently, Château Smith Lafitte produces six wines: one red and one white, one red and one white, two secondary wines called Le Petit Haut Lafitte, and one red and one white, two tertiary wines called "Les Hauts de Smith". Château Smith Lafitte has stabilised in recent years, receiving high ratings from critics and the press in several vintages, and has been well received by the market. The top vintages of the winery into the 20th century are 2005, 2009, 2010, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
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