Bordeaux Château Smith Haut Lafitte

Our committee's review

A star of Pessac-Léognan and twice awarded by the prestigious French wine magazine RVF (Revue du Vin de France), Château Smith Haut Lafitte has built its reputation on precision and consistency. Everything here is dialled in to combine cutting-edge techniques with top-tier quality: their own barrel workshop, biodynamic farming, meticulous selection and blending — not a note out of tune.

Consistently praised by Parker, this Red from the estate now enjoys serious clout. And let’s be honest — the royal boost from King Charles III’s visit in September 2023, along with the wine spa complex Les Caudalies, has only added to its legend. A bucket-list stop for any wine lover.

2021 was a cool, clean-cut vintage that slipped under the radar — unfairly so. The wines are textbook Bordeaux: classic, structured, and built to age. With their Atlantic influence, they bring back the golden era of Bordeaux — elegant, food-friendly wines designed for the table.

And this 2021 Red from Château Smith Haut Lafitte is the ultimate example. Why grab it? Because in a year full of challenges, the estate turned adversity into a stylistic win: a vibrant, classy wine with a bright future — and already hard to resist. A rare standout in a tricky vintage, and a rock-solid choice for informed drinkers. As for the price? Let’s just say it’s seriously hard to beat.

Driven by masterful handling of Cabernet Sauvignon (63%), the 2021 Red from Château Smith Haut Lafitte in Pessac-Léognan delivers a silky, elegant wine with velvety tannins. While others stumbled in this vintage, Smith Haut Lafitte absolutely nailed it. James Suckling raves about “a refined wine, intense and persistent,” while the Parker Guide praises its “depth and remarkable balance.” Fresh berry aromas, laced with spice and floral notes, unfold in a polished, satin-like texture — suave yet concentrated, gliding effortlessly into a long, graceful finish. In short? Sublime. Scored 95/100 by Parker and 96–97/100 by James Suckling.

A major triumph in a vintage full of contrasts — and a no-brainer for savvy wine lovers. And the price? Let’s just say it’s more than just tempting.

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