Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte - Le Petit Haut Lafitte 2023

JAMES SUCKLING: "This has a big structure of polished tannins that are energetic and punchy. Medium to full body with beautiful blackcurrants, as well as dark tobacco and wet earth. Chewy at the end, but a pointed and focused finish. More structured than 2022. 60% cabernet sauvignon and 40% merlot. From organically grown grapes."

VINUM: "Ein Ausblick darauf, was der Gran Vin bieten wird; klar und rein, strahlende Frucht, seidiges Tannin, ungemein knackig, mit viel Frische und Präzision, saftiges Finale. Ein tänzerischer, ungemein verführerischer Wein."

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat. tiefer Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Frische Kräuterwürze, Brombeerkonfit, ein Hauch von Cassis, zart nach Orangenzesten, einladendes Bukett. Komplex, engmaschig, frischer Säurebogen, rotbeeriger Touch im Abgang, mineralisch im Nachhall, gutes Reifepotenzial."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Cigar wrapper, mesquite, spearmint, and black with red currants are in the nose, and on the palate. The wine is vibrant sweet, lifted, long, and almost racy, finishing with a long, spicy, energetic, medium-bodied, fruity finish. The wine is made from a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 40% Merlot. 14% ABV, 3.65 pH. Drink from 2027-2040."

WEINWISSER: "60 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 40 % Merlot, 30 % neue Barriques. Pure Cassisfrucht, Flieder, heller Tabak, Kokos und Estragon. Am kompakten Gaumen mit engmaschigem Tanningerüst, körnigem Extrakt und mittlerem Körper. Im gebündelten Finale mit schwarzbeerigen Konturen, Estragon und dunklem Edelholz."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte Rouge 2023 is aging in 30% new oak. It has a deep garnet-purple color and it rolls out of the glass with ready-to-go scents of crème de cassis, preserved plums, and redcurrant jelly, followed by hints of lavender, mossy tree bark, and fallen leaves. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is expansive and juicy, with loads of savory accents and firm, grainy tannins, finishing long with a minerally lift."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2023 Le Petit Haut Lafitte reveals fresh and dark aromas of licorice, smoke, dark wild berries and violet. Medium to full-bodied, it is more structured and serious than Les Hauts de Smith, with a layered, structured mid-palate, a fleshy core of fruit and a long, saline, chalky finish. Classically composed of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, it is matured in 30% new oak barrels."