2020 Château Smith Haut-Lafitte Grand Cru Classé de Graves

The blend for the Smith Haut Lafitte is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot maturing in 60% new barriques, and this very deep purple-black colored 2020 Smith Haut Lafitte makes an impressive entrance and opens with flamboyant notes of blackcurrant pastilles, chocolate-covered cherries and molten licorice, leading to nuances of ground cloves, wood smoke, crushed stone and dusty ground. The medium to full-bodied palate is bursting with luscious black fruit preserves and shimmering mineral notes framed by beautifully ripe and fantastically firm tannins and seamless freshness, ending with long-lasting earthy and savory layers. Parker (98-100) ends his review with: " ....This is the singular voice of Smith Haut Lafitte at its finest, and wow-oh-wow is it worth a listen "