Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte, Pessac-Leognan

Key characteristics:

Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte, Pessac-Leognan is an exceptionally fine and structured wine, crafted with the same meticulous care and expertise as Château Smith Haut Lafitte’s Grand Vin. This Cabernet Sauvignon-driven expression offers remarkable finesse with silky tannins and beautiful flavors, showcasing the unique imprint of its esteemed terroir.

Tasting Notes:

• Variety: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot
• Appearance: Deep garnet-purple colored.
• Aroma: The nose brings out notes of blackcurrant pastilles, stewed black and red cherries, and baking spices, leading to an earthy undercurrent of tree bark and tilled soil.
• Taste: This wine is extremely fine with silky tannins and beautiful flavours of Cabernet Sauvignon. Medium-bodied, with notes of blackcurrant, liquorice and dark chocolate. A great finesse and a good structure with a lot of ageing potential.
• Region: Hailing from Pessac-Léognan in Bordeaux, France, this wine benefits from a unique terroir characterized by deep gravelly soils rich in quartz, pebbles, and various stones deposited by the Garonne river. This excellent natural drainage encourages the vine roots to delve deep, while the temperate climate, influenced by the nearby ocean and protected by the Landes forest, contributes to the grapes’ optimal ripening.
• Pairing: Excellent to combine with second courses based on red meat, it lends itself to accompanying all recipes based on game.

Overall impression:

This medium-bodied wine presents a harmonious balance of rich fruit and elegant structure, marked by silky tannins and a promising ageing potential. Its finesse and depth make it a truly compelling expression of Pessac-Léognan.

Extra notes:

• Château Smith Haut Lafitte boasts a rich history spanning over six centuries, with vines first planted on its gravelly plateau in 1365.
• The estate is renowned for its commitment to biodynamic farming practices, utilizing shire horses for ploughing and completely prohibiting chemical products to foster a harmonious ecosystem.