Prince Edward- October 2003

WINE SPECTATOR 

Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte Pessac-Léognan 2002 / 89-91

Impressive aromas of tobacco, berry and coffee follow through to medium- to full-bodied palate, with good tannins and a fresh finish. All in finesse. Very good for the vintage.

Château Cantelys Pessac-Léognan 2002 / 85-88

Some good berry and cherry character. Medium-bodied, with firm tannins and a fresh finish. Not overdone.

1998 Smith Haut Lafitte Red - December 2001 - 94/100

TOP TEN WINES OF 2001 - #9

Included on our list of this year’s most exciting wines.

Daniel and Florence Cathiard bought this estate in 1990. They completely renovated the winery and improved the quality of their fine Pessac Léognan wine. 1998 was a particularly good year for this appellation, and 1998 Smith Haut Lafitte – a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc – perfectly illustrates this.

DECANTER

Château Smith-Haut-Lafite White, Pessac-Léognan 2002 ****

Pale, still faintly cloudy, fine grapefruit Sauvignon nose with an added richness and spice from very ripe grapes, fine use of oak, all blended in and gives the wine depth to express the fruit and length of flavour. Very good. Drink 2006-15

 Château Smith Haut Lafite Red, Pessac-Léognan 2002 ****

Very big colour, big, smoky, even a little gamey on the nose, very ripe, almost luscious fruit, blackcurrants with a lifted floral touch, ripe and succulent on the palate, full of character and potential.

INTERNATIONAL WINE CELLAR - Stephen TANZER


2002 Smith Haut Lafitte red - 88-92
2002 Smith Haut Lafitte white - 87-90

1999 Smith Haut Lafitte white - May 2001 - 89-91

Aromas of peach, ripe grapefruit, lime, coconut, white flowers, smoke, vanilla, and oak. Rich, ripe, smooth, and very well-structured on the palate. Wonderfully powerful, spicy, long aftertaste. Excellent balance.

1999 Smith Haut Lafitte white consists of 90% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Sauvignon Gris, and 5% Sémillon. Some of the Sauvignon Blanc grapes came in at 14.6% potential alcohol, but the final blend will average out to approximately 13%. Ripe, expressive aromas of honeysuckle, mint, coconut, and flowers, with a hint of candied fruit. Silky, smooth, and rather subtle on the palate, with citrus fruit and floral flavours accompanied by plenty of fresh acidity. Beautiful aftertaste bursting with pineapple. According to Daniel Cathiard, the grapes were wonderfully ripe, almost dehydrated, which concentrated sugars and acidity. Very promising.

2001 Smith Haut Lafitte red - 90-92

A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and 10% Cabernet Franc, not yet racked. Fairly intense ruby-red colour. Plum, currant, tobacco, tar, and liquorice bouquet. Straightforward, fresh, and concentrated on the palate, with well-integrated black and red fruit flavours. A lovely combination of fruity Cabernet and liquorice-flavoured Merlot. Very ripe, but not overpowering. Smooth and concentrated on the palate, with well-regulated extraction. Long, subtle aftertaste.

2001 Smith Haut Lafitte white - April 2002 - 89-92

Intense honeysuckle, lime, and ginger aromas. Powerful, fruit-driven flavour, with strong hints of orange peel. Although closed-in and somewhat unyielding at present, this wine nevertheless has the substance to improve with age. Long, incredibly fruity aftertaste. Confirms the extraordinary success and quality of the Sauvignon Blanc grape variety in 2001.

ROBERT  PARKER
 THE WINE ADVOCATE


Smith Haut Lafitte red 2002 : 91-93/100, among the Top Wines of the Vintage

Another terrific effort from the Cathiards, Smith Haut Lafitte ‘s 2002 is not far off the pace of their brilliant 2000. From yields of a mere 32 hectoliters per hectare ( 60% of the crop made it into the final blend), this inky purple-color 2002 offers wonderfully complex aromas of lead pencil shavings, black currants, and a hint of chocolate. Thick, rich and medium to full-bodied, with a great mid-palate, texture and purity, and a long, concentrated finish with moderately high but sweet tannin, this is a brilliant success for the vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2023


2001 Smith Haut Lafitte red - 92/100, among the Top Wines of the Vintage

The 2001 is another gem from this estate that has greatly improved under the management of the Cathiard family, owners since 1990. Impressive bouquet with hints of blackberry, spring flowers, redcurrant, pencil shavings, and new oak. This full-bodied, fairly big wine has lots of elegance on the palate with soft, generous fruit. Although it has neither the power nor the volume of the 2000, 2001 Smith Haut Lafitte stands out thanks to its complex, well-balanced personality, finesse, and focus. Florence Cathiard believes this wine is as good as her 2000. It is certainly an incredibly fresh and well-structured wine. Suggested peak: 2006-2015.

2001 Smith Haut Lafitte white - 93/100


2000 Smith Haut Lafitte red - 94/100, among the Top Wines of the Vintage

2000 Smith Haut Lafitte is the Cathiards' most successful effort of the past decade. As always, this wine has a great deal of elegance and aromatic intensity as evidenced by its balance and complexity, without the slightest hint of heaviness. Opaque crimson in colour, this 2000 is marvellously well-structured on the palate with lovely berry aromas and hints of smoke, pencil shavings, minerals, and charcoal. Deep and fairly full-bodied, with extraordinary focus and purity, this wine is underpinned by soft tannins and low acidity. The aftertaste is strong and concentrated. A magnificent wine! Suggested peak: 2002-2025.

GAULTMILLAU


2001 Smith Haut Lafitte red - June 2002 - 89-92

This wine’s bouquet displays a fine combination of red and black fruit. Starts out smooth and rich on the palate, and is clearly well-made. Excellent structure and well-integrated tannin. Good price-quality ratio.

2001 Smith Haut Lafitte white - June 2002 - 91-94

This wine's traditional grapefruit aromas are accompanied by lovely honey overtones and great complexity. Full and concentrated on the palate, with superb structure and a stunning, long aftertaste. Excellent ageing potential.

BETTANE & DESSEAUVE

Smith Haut Lafitte Red 2002 - 8,5/10

Smith Haut Lafitte White 2002 - 8-8,5/10

2001 Smith Haut Lafitte red - May 2002 – 8.5/10

This deeply-coloured wine is very appealing thanks to well-focused red fruit aromas and perfectly integrated oak. Spicy flavours on the palate, developing considerable depth, with firm, smooth tannins, good acidity, and a long, elegant aftertaste. A fine wine that will definitely improve with age.

2001 Smith Haut Lafitte white - May 2002 - 9/10

This is undoubtedly the most successful white wine the Cathiards have made since they bought the estate. The bouquet is extremely impressive, with hints of flowers, citronella, mint, and grapefruit. Altogether elegant with remarkable texture and a superb, long aftertaste. What tremendous class!

WEINWISSER

2001 Smith Haut Lafitte white - April 2002 - 18/20

Brilliant pale yellow colour. Elegant, delicate, perfumed bouquet with hints of peach, smoke, and fresh mint. Well-structured on the palate, with a touch of lime. Clean, pure, and refreshing grapefruit character with gooseberry overtones. Exceptionally long. Clearly very well-made. Still a little soapy, but already shows excellent potential, with a solid fruit base. Suggested peak: 2003-2010.
 

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