Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte 2021

A Pessac-Léognan second wine with a seductive freshness and complexity

The estate

Located at the heart of the Pessac-Léognan appellation and dating from 1365, Château Smith Haut Lafitte is one of the oldest châteaux in Bordeaux. This magnificent estate entered a new era in its history following its purchase by Daniel and Florence Cathiard in 1990. Sustained by the passion and ambition of the Cathiard couple, Château Smith Haut Lafitte has established itself as one of the most beautiful Graves estates alongside the growths which are reputed worldwide for their elegance and style, both in terms of red and white wine.

The vineyard

Château Smith Haut Lafitte is a Pessac-Léognan wine that stems from a 78-hectare vineyard, comprised of vines that are 40 years old on average. The château uses its own vine plants thanks to a mother vine preserved in the plant nursery on the island of Lalande.

The wine

Made from vines that are 11 years old on average, which are produced by massal selection with grafting stock from the estate's mother vine, Petit Smith Haut Lafitte is the estate's Second Wine.

Vinification and ageing

Following a double sorting process before and after destemming, the uncrushed grapes are transferred by gravity to vats for fermentation. Extraction is carried out by punching down and/or pumping over. The wine is aged for 14 months in barrels (20% new wood) made in the estate’s in-house cooperage.

The blend

Cabernet Sauvignon (60%)

Merlot (40%).

Petit Smith Haut Lafitte 2021: Characteristics and tasting tips

The tasting

Colour

A deep red colour with subtle bluish highlights.

Nose

Intense and expressive, the nose opens with refreshing fragrances of fresh red and black fruits. The aromatic palette becomes more complex when aerated, with spicy (star anise), liquorice and empyreumatic (graphite, pencil lead) notes, features of of this terroir.

Palate

An ample attack precedes a balanced and delicate mouth. The palate seduces with its smooth, opulent, fresh and aromatic richness which resonates with the nose.