join
Empire State Of Wine on Facebook Empire State Of Wine on Yelp Empire State Of Wine on Instagram 
 

Shopping Cart:

 0 items - $0.00
Your cart is empty

Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte - Pessac-Léognan 2018 (750ml)

 
WS
97
WE
97
WA
97+
DEC
99
JD
99
JS
98

Price: $155.00


Sale Price: $139.00

6+ Price: $135.00 / btl

Producer Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte
Country France
Region Bordeaux
Subregion Pessac-Leognan
Varietal Bordeaux Blend
Vintage 2018
Size 750ml

Jeb Dunnuck: 99 Points

The 2018 Château Smith Haut Lafitte is based on 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, and the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, all of which was brought up in 60% new French oak. Its dense purple color is followed by an incredible perfume of blackcurrants, blueberries, camphor, scorched earth, chocolate, and tobacco. It's young and unevolved, yet the purity is off the charts, and it slowly gives up more spice and floral notes with time in the glass. Hitting the palate with full-bodied richness, it's an incredibly concentrated, powerful wine that has plenty of baby fat covering serious amounts of underlying structure and tannins. It has some up-front appeal from an educational standpoint, yet really needs a decade of bottle age and is going to keep for 30-40 years in cold cellars. It comes closest in my mind to a mix of the 2010 and 2016.

Decanter: 99 Points

One of the more notable successes in Pessac-Léognan is this 2018 thanks to its wonderful bouquet of red cherry, spring flowers, cedar and liquorice, graphite aromas and elegant earthy notes. With building tannins, a fresh, focused texture, and a great finish, it's not for those looking for instant gratification, and I suspect it will need a solid decade or more of cellaring, but it will evolve for 50 years or more. Drinking Window 2025 - 2040.

James Suckling: 98 Points

Purity of fruit here with plum and cherry aromas, as well as wet earth and spice. Light stone. Very floral and vivid. Full-bodied with layers of ripe tannins that are balanced and polished. Savory finish. Incredibly polished and refined. Goes on for minutes. One of the finest Smith-Haut Lafittes I have tasted. Drink after 2024.
 

Wine Spectator: 97 Points

Ripe and seductive, with a caressing wave of cassis, plum puree and blackberry compote flavors that hold sway throughout, but not without support from enticing savory, licorice, warm loam and mineral accents along the way. Cashmere finish lets everything sail on and on. Gorgeous. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2024 through 2040. 10,000 cases made.
 

Wine Enthusiast: 97 Points

This well-rounded wine offers flavors of ripe yellow fruit, apple and pear, with bright acidity to balance. The texture, concentration and intensity linger on the finish. The wine will age well.
 

Wine Advocate: 97+ Points

A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, aged in 60% new barriques, the very deep garnet-purple colored 2018 Smith Haut Lafitte bursts onto the scene with showy scents of crème de cassis, mocha, licorice and cedar chest, followed by suggestions of baked plums, smoked meats, tar and tobacco leaf. The medium to full-bodied palate brings sophistication to all that flamboyant fruit with a beautifully styled frame of finely grained tannins and bold freshness, finishing bright and fruity with loads of minerally sparks. This is a stunning, singular style that is sure to turn heads!
 

Customers Viewing This Page Might Also Like These Items
Château Haut-Bailly - Pessac-Léognan 2019 (750)
Sale Price: $129.00
Save $31.00 (19%)
Quantity: 
Pensées de Lafleur - Pomerol 2002 (750)
Sale Price: $135.00
Save $15.00 (10%)
Quantity: 
Copyright © 2024 All rights reserved  •  Website Powered by WineFetch