Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte 2015

Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte 2015 – 97-98 JS, 95-97 WA

12×75 – £620 EP
6×75 – £310 EP

Also released today:

Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc 2015 – 96-97 JS, 94-96 WA

12×75 – £645 EP
6×75 – £322.50 EP

IG Wines offer a choice of bottling for en primeur orders, see below.

En Primeur Expected Spring 2018 

This afternoon Smith Haut Lafitte have released their red and white. In 2015 Pessac-Leognan stands out, with its higher preponderance of Merlot and we advise buying the leading wines from the region. Smith Haut Lafitte has been awarded an incredible 97-98 points from James Suckling and 95-97 from Neal Martin. This places amongst the greatest wines of the vintage, a towering Smith Haut Lafitte, set to compete with stellar 2009 and 2010. Their release price is £620 per case of 12 bottles, a 41% discount to the 95 point scoring 2005 and a 27% discount to the 98+ scoring 2010. It scores and price are identical to Pape Clement 2015 which sold in one say earlier in the campaign and we expect the same of the stunning rouge today.

Interestingly the 2015 both the red and white wine will be given a special label to celebrate its 650^th anniversary and the 25^th under the ownership of Cathiard family. A stunning black background with the customary gold print and a silver crest. This adds an even greater cachet and collectability to this wine.

Smith Haut Laffite is located south of the city proper in the commune of Martillac and has embarkied on a large investment programme, which has included a new cellar and in 2000 they switched from mechanical to hand harvesting. The grapes are stored in ergonomic pods designed by the proprietor Danial Cathiard to preventoxidation. The estate produces only 10,000 cases per year and the average vine age is between 36 to 65 years.

Smith Haut Lafitte also make a stunning white wine, which offers immense value for money compared to Haut Brion, La Mission Haut Brion and Pape Clement Blanc. Pape Clement has already released at £980, scoring 92-94, while Haut Brion Blanc has been awarded the same score but will be priced at approximately £5,500 per case. This makes Smith Haut Lafitte very attractive with a score if 94-96 and priced at £645 per case of 12.

Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc is produced from 11 hectares cultivated with white varieties of 90% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Semillon and 5% Sauvignon Gris. The vines have an average age of 38 years, yield 32 hl/ha and the grapes are pressed in an oxygen-free environment which benefits the wine hugely by retaining full aromatic potential. Fermentation happens in barrels of 50% new oak from their own onsite cooperage and 50% in barrels used for the previous vintage. They are aged in barrel where they undergo batonnage (stirring of the lees) for 12 months.

Also released and available:

• Calon Segur 2015, 12x75cl, £570 – 91-93 Pts
• Gruard Larose 2015, 12x75cl, £480 – 90-92 Pts
• Phelan Segur 2015, 12x75cl, £300 – 91-93 Pts
• Duhart Milon 2015, 12x75cl, £500 -90-92 Pts

Click HERE for a review of the Bordeaux En Primeur 2015 Campaign to date.

James Suckling, 97-98 Points
This is a very polished and precise young wine with beautiful depth and intensity. Full and sexy. It shows blueberry and black currant character with walnut and chocolate undertones. The tannins have a lovely texture. Joy to taste.

Neal Martin, 95-97 Points
The 2015 Smith-Haut-Lafitte is adorned with a special label to celebrate the 650th anniversary of the château and the 25th vintage made under the ownership of Daniel and Florence Cathiard. It is a blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, picked between 23 September until 12 October with the Cabernet Franc. Matured in 65% new oak (although technical director Fabien Teitgen mentioned that he could have added more if he felt it would benefit), it has a very intense, blueberry and crème de cassis scented bouquet, a touch more opulent than its peers with hints of freshly shucked oyster shell developing with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with filigree tannin couched in gorgeous, satin-textured black cherry and cassis fruit, tinged with cedar and pencil shavings. It lingers very long and sensually in the mouth, completing a sophisticated and powerful Smith Haut-Lafitte that should age in splendid fashion.

James Suckling, 96-97 Points
A beautiful white with pretty density and richness. Bright and clear with intense aromas and flavors of lilacs and stones. Some violet. Full and bright. Firm phenolic tension. Bright acidity.

Neal Martin, 94-96 Points
The 2015 Smith-Haut-Lafitte Blanc is a blend of 90% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Sauvignon Gris and 5% Sauvignon Blanc matured in 50% new oak. It has a crisp, conservative bouquet, tightly wound at first, reticent even, though with a couple of minutes’ swirling, it reveals intense fresh lime flower, pink grapefruit, guava and blood orange scents. The palate is extremely well balanced with a silver bead of acidity, a dab of sour lemon than cleanses the mouth, followed by pink grapefruit, citrus lemon and green apple notes towards the long finish. This is another outstanding white Smith-Haut-Lafitte from winemaker Fabien Tietgen and the famille Cathiard.

To buy this wine please click here or telephone +44 (0)203 195 8055. Offer subject to availability. 

En Primeur – Why buy through IG Wines:

• We only work with the largest and best financed negociants in Bordeaux
• We guarantee delivery of all wines purchased en primeur
• We are owned one third by a large family office and very well-financed
• Since our foundation in 2011 we have grown our client base to over 1,500 private clients in ten different countries

IG Wines offer a choice of bottling for en primeur orders:

• Bottles (12x75cl or 6x75cl) – No Charge
• Halves (12×37.5cl or 24×37.5cl) – £12.00 per case
• Magnums (6x150cl or 3x150cl) – £7.00 per case
• Double Magnums (3 x 300cl) – £50.00 per case
• Imperials (1 x 600cl) – £25.00 each