Château Smith Haut Lafitte Rouge Grand Cru Classé 2017
The Château Smith Haut Lafitte Rouge Grand Cru Classé is a red wine varietal blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Merlot (35%), Cabernet Franc (4%) and Petit Verdot (1%) grapes. The wine is matured for 18 months in barrels (60% are new barrels produced at the in-house cooperage), with aging on lees. After being racked a single time, wine is then aged according to its profile. 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.
