The 2016 Le Petit Haut Lafitte is a fabulous second wine from Smith Haut Lafitte. Inky blue/purplish berry fruit, lavender, menthol, licorice and cloves give the Petit Haut Lafitte its striking aromatic complexity. Deep, resonant and exquisitely layered, the 2016 is a real joy to taste. I would cellar it for another year or two. The 2016 has enough depth and pedigree to develop beautifully for the next 10-15 years.
Drinking Window: 2021 - 2036
Reviewer Name: Antonio Galloni
Review Date: 1st January 2019
Barrel Sample. The wine, a majority of young Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, is structured and firm with solid tannins and layers of black currant. This will be ready to be drink after 2025.
Review Date: 1st April 2017
A hugely enjoyable wine that is intense and concentrated, with chocolate shavings, liquorice and damson, plus a brushed velvet texture. This is a vintage where the Cabernet Sauvignon did exceptionally well (55% with 45% Merlot), and it suits the style of this wine: powerful but finessed, but still no need to wait too long to begin drinking.
Drinking Window: 2020 - 2032
Reviewer Name: Jane Anson
Review Date: 2nd February 2020
The 2016 Le Petit Haut Lafitte is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot matured in 20% new oak. It has a well-defined bouquet with mulberry, cranberry, pressed flowers and a touch of undergrowth; it is neatly defined though not powerful, but it does demonstrare commendable precision. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp and firm tannin, quite tensile and energetic (more so than the Les Hauts de Smith) with impressive structure and length on the almost Pauillac-like, graphite infused finish. Do not ignore this little gem from Château Smith Haut-Lafitte, because it always punches above its weight.
Drinking Window: 2021 - 2038
Reviewer Name: Neal Martin
Review Date: 28th April 2017
Very dark and lustrous purple. What a lovely texture! Maybe not the densest fruit but reasonably fresh fruit. Delicate hand on the hand brake. Not too much. Just lovely juice. I wonder whether the move to organic is responsible for this delightful wine? Pure pleasure almost already.
Drinking Window: 2020 - 2027
Reviewer Name: Jancis Robinson MW
Review Date: 1st April 2017
- Details
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- Year 2016
- Colour Red
- Country France
- Region Bordeaux
- Sub Region Pessac-Leognan
- Designation
- Classification
- Pack Size 6x75cl
- ABV 13.50°
- Drinking Window 2021 - 2038
- Drinking Recommendation Drinking Now, will improve
- LWIN 115314320160600750
- Reviews (5)
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94 Vinous
The 2016 Le Petit Haut Lafitte is a fabulous second wine from Smith Haut Lafitte. Inky blue/purplish berry fruit, lavender, menthol, licorice and cloves give the Petit Haut Lafitte its striking aromatic complexity. Deep, resonant and exquisitely layered, the 2016 is a real joy to taste. I would cellar it for another year or two. The 2016 has enough depth and pedigree to develop beautifully for the next 10-15 years.
Drinking Window: 2021 - 2036
Reviewer Name: Antonio Galloni
Review Date: 1st January 2019
93-95 Wine EnthusiastBarrel Sample. The wine, a majority of young Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, is structured and firm with solid tannins and layers of black currant. This will be ready to be drink after 2025.
Review Date: 1st April 2017
93 DecanterA hugely enjoyable wine that is intense and concentrated, with chocolate shavings, liquorice and damson, plus a brushed velvet texture. This is a vintage where the Cabernet Sauvignon did exceptionally well (55% with 45% Merlot), and it suits the style of this wine: powerful but finessed, but still no need to wait too long to begin drinking.
Drinking Window: 2020 - 2032
Reviewer Name: Jane Anson
Review Date: 2nd February 2020
91-93 Wine AdvocateThe 2016 Le Petit Haut Lafitte is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot matured in 20% new oak. It has a well-defined bouquet with mulberry, cranberry, pressed flowers and a touch of undergrowth; it is neatly defined though not powerful, but it does demonstrare commendable precision. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp and firm tannin, quite tensile and energetic (more so than the Les Hauts de Smith) with impressive structure and length on the almost Pauillac-like, graphite infused finish. Do not ignore this little gem from Château Smith Haut-Lafitte, because it always punches above its weight.
Drinking Window: 2021 - 2038
Reviewer Name: Neal Martin
Review Date: 28th April 2017
17 Jancis RobinsonVery dark and lustrous purple. What a lovely texture! Maybe not the densest fruit but reasonably fresh fruit. Delicate hand on the hand brake. Not too much. Just lovely juice. I wonder whether the move to organic is responsible for this delightful wine? Pure pleasure almost already.
Drinking Window: 2020 - 2027
Reviewer Name: Jancis Robinson MW
Review Date: 1st April 2017
- Producer
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About Château Smith Haut Lafitte
Smith-Haut-Lafitte was bought by Florence and Daniel Cathiard in 1990. But its prestigious history dates back to 1365 when the first vines were planted. George Smith bought the Graves estate in 1720, adding his name to the property. After renovating the estate, the Cathiards now live in the 18th century chartreuse dating from George Smith’s time. Over the years, the Cathiards have invested hugely to modernize Smith Haut-Lafitte. In 1995 they built their own cooperage, allowing them produce 70% of their own barrels to their exacting specifications.
They have also created state-of-the-art wine making facilities. In 2009 they were one of the first estates to use “Oenoview” satellite imagery system to assess grape ripeness. They also make use of the latest optical sorting technology. These efforts have seen quality, and critical acclaim, leap upwards - culminating in a perfect 100 score from Wine Advocate for the 2009 vintage. Today the vineyard is organic and self-sustainable, with an eye to biodynamic farming techniques. These efforts are led by Fabien Teitgen, the Technical Director for all the Cathiard properties is an integral part of their estate’s success.
- Vintage Comparison
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Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte - Offers on Cru
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