Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte 2017

THE WINE ADVOCATE: THE WINEADVOCATE:"Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Smith Haut Lafitte charges out of the gate with bold expressions of warm redcurrants, baked blackberries and crème de cassis with hints of spice cake, dried roses, underbrush and pencil lead plus a waft of candied violets. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a fantastic core of densely packed red and black fruits, framed by wonderfully ripe, rounded tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and perfumed."

JAMES SUCKLING: JAMES SUCKLING:"Wonderful depth of fruit here with blackberries, wet earth, mushrooms, dark chocolate and violets. Full-bodied, tight and poised with polished and compressed tannins. Consistent finish. Linear and focused. A blend of 60% cabernet sauvignon, 35% merlot, 4% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot. Drinkable now, but better in 2022."

JEB DUNNUCK: JEB DUNNUCK:"Moving to the grand vin and a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot aged 16 months in 60% new French oak, the 2017 Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte is a beauty, with rocking levels of cassis and red currant fruits interwoven with hints of dried herbs, salty minerality, subtle oak, and crushed violets. Concentrated and full-bodied on the palate, it has ripe tannins, a great mid-palate, and tons of charm and character. This is one of those wines that will be beautiful in just 3-4 years and yet age effortlessly for three decades. Hats off to winemaker Fabien Teitgen for a brilliant effort in the vintage."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER:"Round, deep, full-bodied, lush and with good intensity of flavor, the wine has richness and length. All of this is a good thing, so you can catch all of the smoke, tobacco, dark cocoa and black with red fruits. The finish delivers length and persistence, coupled with the ability to age."

WEINWISSER: WEINWISSER:"Tiefes Granatrot mit rubinrotem Rand. Intensives Bouquet mit einer vollen Ladung schwarzer Johannisbeeren, dahinter eingekochte Waldbeeren, frischer Thymian und Lakritze. Am kräftigen Gaumen mit cremiger Textur und mehliger Extraktsüsse, reifes dichtes Tannin umspannt den Körper. Im komplexen Finale überzeugt der Modellathlet mit sehr langem Rückaroma nach Wacholder, dominikanischem Tabak und stützender Adstringenz. Grossartige Leistung von Fabien Teitgen, die 19 Punkte sind in greifbare Nähe gerückt!"

DECANTER: DECANTER:"This stands out among the flight, deep in colour with a silky, seductive texture. Enjoyable, sleek and full of grilled spice, cassis fruits, liquorice and chocolate. One of the very few that stands up well to the vintages on either side of it. It's good stuff from Smith Haut Lafitte with well drawn out tannins and a compelling aromatic structure, something that I'm not finding in enough of the 2017s."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: WINE ENTHUSIAST:"In this well-structured, rich wine, Cabernet Sauvignon's ripe black-currant flavors merge with jammier Merlot. It is elegant and powerful, dense and poised. This style of wine will age impressively, likely to be ready from 2023 or, better, 2024."

WINE SPECTATOR: WINESPECTATOR:"Intense blackberry and raspberry paste flavors run through the middle, flanked by steeped anise, black licorice and roasted apple wood notes. The finish is grounded by a strong graphite spine, while the fruit pumps through. A lingering echo of violet adds a graceful accent. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2022 through 2038. 10,000 cases made. — JM"

FALSTAFF: FALSTAFF:"Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung, schwarze Beerenfrucht, Brombeeren, Lakritze, zarte Edelholzwürze, Nougattouch. Straff, schwarze Kirschen, präsente engmaschige Tannine, frische Struktur, zarte dunkle Schokoladenote, rote Johannisbeeren im Nachhall, betont mineralischer Wein, gutes Entwicklungspotenzial, zitroniger Touch im Finale."

JANCIS ROBINSON: JANCIS ROBINSON:"60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot.Dark crimson. Ripe and sweetly but not overly oaky on the nose. Beautifully aromatic already. The oak is certainly there on the palate but not surprising at this young age. And the fruit is firm, fresh and scented. Lithe tannins in a harmonious whole. Long and lovely even in youth. Deep, chewy and balanced but needs patience. Great fruit depth. (JH)"