Château Smith Haut Lafitte 2019 is a powerful yet refined Bordeaux, revealing deep aromas of blackcurrant, graphite, and violet with subtle spice and earthy notes. Full-bodied and elegant, it shows silky tannins, vibrant freshness, and a long, polished finish—beautifully balanced and built to age.

James Suckling | JS 99
Published: Feb 11, 2022

Intense blackberry and graphite character coming out of the glass, together with dried violets, ink and some asphalt. Full-bodied with wonderfully integrated tannins that spread across the palate and then draw you deep into the wine. Lead-pencil and blackcurrant aftertaste. Tightly wound with a cashmere-like texture. A whole and thought-provoking wine. Try after 2028 and beyond. 

The Wine Advocate | RP 96
Published: Apr 7, 2022
Drink: 2026-2055

The 2019 Smith Haut Lafitte has turned out very well indeed, unwinding in the glass with a complex bouquet of dark berries, cassis, forest floor, pencil shavings, licorice and spices. Full-bodied, broad and velvety, it'slayered and elegantly muscular, underpinned by rich structuring tannins and lively acids, and it concludes with a long, expansive finish. This is another estate where the viticultural and stylistic evolutions of the last decade have delivered a beautifully balanced, harmonious 2019. 

Decanter | D 95
Published: Oct 31, 2023
Drink: 2026-2045

With 60% new oak there is plenty of weight and alcohol evident on first tasting. But as the wine breathes, the fragrant, ripe dark fruit characters emerge, combined with elegant tannins and fresh acidity to keep everything in balance. A seductive, velvety textured wine with great concentration and purity – this will age magnificently.

Jancis Robinson | JR 17.5
Published: Oct 11, 2023
Drink: 2026-2038

59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot.
Dark purplish crimson. Fragrant with small, wild blackberries. So scented. Super-dry and very fine tannins. Still very tight on the palate, barely open but elegant. Deliciously dry. 

Smith-haut-lafitte.com

This wine has a dark red, almost black colour. The nose is redolent of fresh fruit (raspberries, cherries, strawberries) and, after swirling in the glass, more complex notes of spice, dried herbs, fennel, and a slight floral nuance.
The wine is straightforward and well-balanced on the palate, with good concentration and plenty of volume. Despite a substantial quantity of tannin, it remains smooth and rich, with excellent balance between substance, density and freshness. The texture is delicate and precise. The finish is very long and complex with fresh red fruit, liquorice and cinnamon, as well as more terroir-induced notes of smoke and flint.

Technical Specs

Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Natural Cork
Vintage: 2019
Oak: French oak barrels
Varietals: 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot
Vineyard: Approximately 78 hectares on the gravel plateau of Martillac, with Günzian gravel soils; average vine age approximately 48 years
Harvest: 17 September – 10 October 2019
Vinification: Whole grapes fermented at 28°C in small wooden vats; extraction by manual punch-downs
Ageing: 18 months in French oak barrels, 60% new oak; aged on lees and racked once
Winemaker: Fabien Teitgen
Region: Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, France
Classification: Grand Cru Classé de Graves

Serving Temperature: 16–18°C
Decanting: Decant for approximately 1–2 hours before serving; allow additional aeration if the wine is still closed
Food Pairing: Roast lamb, Châteaubriand, beef tenderloin, venison, duck, game dishes, truffle preparations and mature hard cheeses