Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte 2025

Vinum: Die Nase deutet durch ihre Zurückhaltung Klasse an; tiefgründig, floral, mit nobler Cassis-Note, Minze, getrocknete Rosenblüten, eine Droge; am Gaumen fast schon harmlos beginnend, leicht cremig, baut dann mehr und mehr Druck auf, ohne Eleganz zu verlieren, da ist eine ungemeine Kraft mit im Spiel, ohne dass eines der Elemente überborden würde, Alkohol, Tannin, Frucht und Säure sind perfekt ausbalanciert, vertikal, voller Energie, mit Saftigkeit und einem fast schon endlosen Abgang. Ein sensationeller Smith Haut Lafitte, der zusammen mit dem 2016er zu den ganz grossen Weinen dieses Weinguts gehört. Zu Ehren des verstorbenen Daniel Cathiard kommt dieser Jahrgang im schwarzen Kleid."

James Suckling: Bright, vibrant aromas of sliced apples, pears and lemons with some acacia and flint. The palate is dense and tight, with so much chalk and oyster shell character. Extremely long and pure, with vivid energy at the end. Sharp and driven by acidity. A blend of 90% sauvignon blanc, 5% semillon and 5% sauvignon gris."

Jane Anson: This is so good, so much energy and depth, slate and wet stones holding interest and the palate expands, showing fragrant capsicum pepper, crushed mint, toasted spices, cumin, liquorice, cassis, cocoa bean, fully in the DNA of Smith Haut Lafitte. Harvest 1 to 30 September, and here they paused over that rain of September 23, as did Château Margaux - both estates were richly rewarded for this choice. 50% new oak for ageing. Last vintage of Daniel Cathiard, and expect a label commemorating the remarkable impact he had on this brilliant estate."

Jeb Dunnuck: One of my favorite wines in the vintage, the 2025 Château Smith Haut Lafitte is based on 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot, raised in 50% new oak, 45% old barrel, and 5% foudre. Beautiful darker fruits, scorched earth, smoky tobacco, chocolate, and graphite all define the aromatics, and on the palate, it's full-bodied, with a deep, concentrated mid-palate, beautiful tannins, and nicely integrated acidity. It brings beautiful ripeness as well as a balanced, textured, seamless style."

Falstaff: Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Feine Kräuterwürze, feines Cassis, Brombeerkonfit, etwas Nougat, kandierte Orangenzesten, einladendes Bukett. Stoffig, elegant, reife dunkle Beerenfrucht, tragende Tannine, feine Schokonuancen, überzeugende Frische, sehr stoffig und lange anhaftend, mineralisch, feine Extraktsüße, zeigt große Länge, sicheres Reifepotenzial, ungemein vielversprechend."

Decanter: Beautifully crisp and clear aromas, dark fruit, precise and expressive. Smokey violets and ripe blackcurrants with white chocolate. Fresh and vivid, this is vibrant and so clear but still with a round and filling texture. Maybe a more delicate take from Smith with the minerality much more present than in some vintages but there’s excellent length, hints of spice and bitterness as well as a lifted finish. Very gravelly, salty, chalky and cool. Balanced, elegant and totally delicious. Not as Smith as some, less dense and fleshy, but there’s no denying this is approachable. A little less smooth and velvety, this is more crunchy, chalky and grippy than usual but no less compelling. 3.6pH. A yield of 28hl/ha. Began the red harvest from the 3 September to the end. Ageing 50% new oak. 1% of Petit Verdot completes the blend."

The Wine Cellar Insider: Deeply colored, all it takes is a single swirl to discover the red, black and blue fruits, smoke, cigar box, and tobacco. The palate kicks in with its vivacious, display of sweet, ripe fruits. The finish starts off strong and keeps on going long after the wine has left your glass. The picking dates in 2025 were paramount. They waited until after the late September rains to harvest the Cabernet, which added to the maturity of the fruits, while decreasing ABV levels, Picking took place from September 15 - September 30. The wine blends 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, and is aging in 50% new, French oak barrels. 13.5% ABV. pH 3.50. Yields were 30 hectoliters per hectare. Drink from 2029-2055."

Lisa Perrotti-Brown: Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2025 Smith Haut Lafitte Rouge charges out with bold notes of crushed black and red currants and black raspberries, opening out to hints of pencil lead, wild thyme, red roses, and cedar. The medium-bodied palate is intense with black and red berry layers, framed by firm, grainy tannins and amazing tension, finishing long with loads of floral and mineral sparks. The blend is 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot. It is aging in French oak barrels, 50% new."