| Brand | Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte |
| Appellation | Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France |
| Vintage | 2022 |
| Oak Treatment | French Oak |
| Aging | 18 months / 14.5% ABV |
| Total Varietal Composition % | 64% Cabernet Sauvignon , 32% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot |
Product details
The Château Smith Haut Lafitte 2022 is a masterful expression of organic and biodynamic viticulture, crafted from an average of 49-year-old vines in the Graves appellation. The blend—64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot—reflects the estate’s precision in vineyard selection, with yields limited to 29 hl/ha before rigorous sorting. Whole grapes undergo fermentation in small wooden vats at 28°C, with gentle extraction by manual punching down, followed by 18 months of aging in fine-grained oak barrels, 60% of which are new and made in the château’s own cooperage. This approach captures the depth, freshness, and elegance emblematic of Smith Haut Lafitte, sealed with the estate’s prooftag authentication system for provenance.
In the glass, the wine presents a nearly black hue and an initially discreet nose that blooms with aeration into layers of cherry, raspberry, wild blackberry, blueberry, and spice—liquorice, star anise —alongside Graves’ signature mineral notes. The palate is at once broad, smooth, and energetic, revealing superb concentration and finely knit tannins with a velvety texture. Its aromatic complexity unfolds further with hints of chalk, candied lemon, and violet, leading to a long, harmonious finish. With remarkable balance of ripeness, tannic richness, freshness, and seductive softness, this 2022 vintage is already garnering near-perfect critical acclaim, promising both immediate allure and exceptional aging potential.
