THE WHITE WINE CELLAR
Alcoholic fermentation takes
place in barrel after settling.
The wine is then aged in oak (50% of the barrels have been used for one
previous vintage) on the lees for 10-12 months. The barrels are regularly
topped up and stirred with a stick (bâtonnage).
The new barrels add toasty, vanilla hints, which integrate perfectly with
the wine. Only the greatest wines can accept a large amount of new oak. A
fine wine will always dominate the taste of oak, rather than the reverse.
Château Smith Haut Lafitte has its own cooperage, which is where we will end the tour.
THE RED WINE CELLAR
This large underground cellar
(5 metres underground) holds 1,300 barrels on one level. Before
barrel-ageing, the red wines spend approximately three weeks in malolactic
fermentation at 20°C. This temperature is carefully maintained in a part of
the cellar separated by plastic curtains.
The wine is barrel-aged for 18 months – it rarely needs fining or
filtration.
Depending on the vintage, we use approximately 80% new barrels each year.
The red wine is blended according to grape variety before the final blend: 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, and 10% Cabernet Franc. Although the percentages may vary from year to year, Cabernet always represents the lion's share. All wines are château bottled.
BASIC WINEMAKING GLOSSARY
Bâtonnage, or stirring: This
practice consists of using a stick to stir the wine to put the lees into
suspension. It is done twice a week for the first two months after
fermentation and then on a less regular basis. The sticks used at Château
Smith Haut Lafitte were invented by Daniel Cathiard, inspired by a type of
bent ski pole with blades.
Topping up: Wine evaporates during barrel ageing. Topping up consists of
filling up the airspace and reducing the wine's surface area in contact with
oxygen. The wine is topped up each time it is stirred.
Racking: Towards the end of the barrel-ageing process, the wine is racked to
separate it from the lees. After racking, it is fined with bentonite before
the final blend is made and the wine is bottled.
Château
Smith Haut Lafitte
33650 BORDEAUX-MARTILLAC FRANCE
Tel : +33 (0)5 57 83 11 22 - Fax : +33 (0)5 57 83 11 21
smith-haut-lafitte@smith-haut-lafitte.com