Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte

Appearance:

• Deep ruby red with purple hues, indicating youth and concentration.

Nose:

• Rich and Aromatic: The nose is expressive with a bouquet of dark fruits such as blackberry, blackcurrant, and plum.

• Floral and Herbal: Subtle hints of violets and fresh herbs, such as sage and thyme, add complexity.

• Spice and Oak: Well-integrated notes of cedar, vanilla, and baking spices from oak aging, along with a touch of graphite.

Palate:

• Full-bodied and Elegant: A medium to full-bodied wine with smooth, velvety tannins. Flavors of ripe black cherries, blackcurrant, and a touch of blueberry fill the palate.

• Earthy and Minerality: As the wine opens, it reveals layers of earthy tones, graphite, and a characteristic gravelly minerality, typical of the terroir in Pessac-Léognan.

• Well-Balanced Acidity: The wine has refreshing acidity, giving it a balanced and fresh structure despite its richness.

• Spicy Finish: Finishes with lingering notes of dark chocolate, cigar box, and a hint of smoky oak.

Finish:

• Long and Refined: A long, satisfying finish, with balanced tannins and lingering fruit and spice. The wine has a youthful vibrancy but also shows the potential for aging.

Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte is an elegant, approachable Bordeaux with excellent depth and structure, often showing characteristics similar to the Grand Vin but with more immediate drinkability. It is a great representation of the Pessac-Léognan region’s signature style.

• Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate: 91/100

• The 2015 vintage was praised for its ripe fruit, fine tannins, and overall balance, with a nice freshness despite the richness of the vintage.

• James Suckling: 94/100

• James Suckling noted the wine’s lovely structure and purity, with ripe, silky tannins, vibrant acidity, and a long, flavorful finish. He particularly appreciated its drinkability and elegance.

• Wine Spectator: 92/100

• Wine Spectator highlighted the 2015 vintage’s dark fruit, minerality, and well-integrated oak, praising its harmonious nature and suggesting a good aging potential.

• Vinous (Antonio Galloni): 91/100

• Galloni emphasized the balance and finesse of the 2015 Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte, noting its precision and the vibrant nature of the fruit despite the warm vintage.  b