2023 Château Smith Haut-Lafitte Grand Cru Classé de Graves

Château Smith Haut-Lafitte Winery

Château Smith Haut-Lafitte is one of Pessac-Léognan's leading estates and has been run by the Cathiard family since the 1990s. The winery has been fully certified organic since 2019 and has invested for decades in sustainable viticulture, biodiversity, and precision in the cellar. In both red and white, the focus is on tension, structure, and terroir expression, with a style that combines power with refinement and clear aging potential.

More information about this winery can be found under the Winery tab.

Region, climate and location

Château Smith Haut-Lafitte is located in the southern part of the Pessac-Léognan appellation, on gravelly soils with sub-layers of sand and clay. These soils provide good drainage and give the wines their characteristic tension and mineral structure. The 2023 vintage was characterized by low yields and small, thick-skinned berries. Mold problems with Merlot resulted in an unprecedentedly large proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend, which strongly shaped the character of this vintage.

Smith Haut-Lafitte is the estate's Grand Vin, produced exclusively from the finest plots and selections. In 2023, this wine represents approximately one-third of the total harvest, underscoring the rigorous selection and concentration of the final result.

Vineyards and grape varieties

The 2023 blend consists of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot. The grapes come from carefully selected plots surrounding the château. Due to the vintage's conditions, Cabernet Sauvignon plays a dominant role, resulting in a pronounced structure and a clear left-Bordeaux profile.

Harvest, vinification and maturation

The grapes were hand-harvested and rigorously selected. Vinification focused on extraction while preserving freshness, with relatively cool and long macerations and controlled pigeages. Maturation took place in approximately 60% new oak barrels from the château's own cooperage, with the use of wood enhancing structure and texture. The 2023 vintage is powerful and compact, with an emphasis on precision and aging potential.

Color, smell and taste

The wine displays a deep, dark ruby red color. The nose opens with concentrated aromas of wild berries, blackberries, mulberries, and blueberries, complemented by floral notes, spices, and a refined oaky influence. Yohan Castaing of The Wine Advocate emphasizes the elegant oak and mineral tension evident early on.

On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, with a dense core of dark fruit, clear structure, and fine-grained tannins. The Cabernet dominance translates into grip, length, and a pronounced texture, without making the wine heavy or ponderous. According to Antonio Galloni of Vinous, this is a powerful, almost explosive Smith Haut-Lafitte that needs time to fully develop, but already impresses with its intensity and balance. The finish is long, mineral, and layered.

Development and drinking window

The 2023 Smith Haut-Lafitte is designed for extended aging. The various assessments suggest several drinking windows: an early approach from around 2025 for those who want to follow the wine young, with optimal development expected between 2030 and 2055. The combination of concentration, acidity, and tannins points to longevity.

Summary of professional reviews

Yohan Castaing of The Wine Advocate rates the wine 94–96 points, emphasizing the complexity, structure, and Cabernet-driven character of this vintage. Antonio Galloni of Vinous awards it 95–97 points, describing the wine as powerful and intense, with small yields and thick skins providing the foundation for its depth and texture. Both reviewers consider this a serious, long-lived Smith Haut-Lafitte that will benefit from aging.

The full review texts can be found in the Professional Reviews tab.

If available, you'll find the official fact sheet and additional information about this wine in the "Attachments" tab. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and upon pickup, you'll often receive an attractive discount. This discount is immediately visible when you select "Pickup" at the checkout page. We are located in Dordrecht, practically next to the A16 motorway, with ample parking. Click here for our address.

You can read the full wine reviews from Parker and Vinous, among others. Need advice on choosing the right time to drink or store this wine? Click here for our exclusive online sommelier. Free for Grand Cru customers.