Wine Advisor
Smith Haut Lafitte 1992
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 1992 exhibits a black/purple color, an unevolved but promising nose of spice and ripe black fruits, medium body, fine depth and richness, and moderate tannin in the finish. Well-balanced from start to finish, it should drink well between 1998-2010.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Brick red rim with a garnet core. Firm sturdy tannins and impressive concentration for a 1992 but still a little dry and austere on the finish. Drink up as I doubt this will improve. Tasted November 1998.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
As I indicated last year, the new, enthusiastic, quality-oriented ownership of the Cathiard family is readily evident in the quality of this Graves estate. When new owners can produce better wines in 1992 and 1993 than the previous owners did in a great vintage such as 1990, you know it is just a matter of time until Smith-Haut-Lafitte becomes one of the more fashionable Graves. The 1992 is unquestionably a successful wine for this vintage. It exhibits elegant, spicy, mineral and black-cherry-scented notes in its smoky bouquet, medium body, fine ripeness and extraction, a velvety texture, and light tannin in the finish. Drink it over the next 7-8 years.
About the Producer
Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte is located in the village of Martillac in the Pessac-Leognan appellation, south of Bordeaux, France, and is a Grand Cru of the Graves appellation. The Château Smith Haut Lafitte complex is quite large, with a château, winery and large underground cellars, as well as a sizeable resort hotel (Les Sources de Caudalie), the Caudalie Vinotherapie Spa, the Caudalie restaurant, and the gardens, water and wine garden. The courtyard also features gardens, flowing water and a number of artistic sculptures, including a sculpture by Barry Flanagan called "The Flying Rabbit", as well as wonderful works by Chinese sculptor Huang Yongping and Italian artist Mimmo Paladino, among others. The Smith Haut Lafitte winery Smithers Lafitte has 78 hectares of vineyards planted with 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, while the white varieties include 90% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Petit Verdot. Sauvignon Blanc, 5% of Sauvignon Gris and 5% of Semillon. The average age of the red vines is 38 years and the average age of the white vines is 40 years. The wines are fermented in stainless steel tanks or in large oak barrels, depending on the variety and the plot. After fermentation, the red wines are aged for 18 months in 60% new barrels and the white wines for 12 months in 50% new barrels. The wines are not filtered before bottling and have a unique, slightly smoky aroma that fully reflects the true nature of the Graves origin. The winery is currently being upgraded and will be 100% gravity-fed when the renovation is complete. The grapes are harvested at perfect ripeness, gently broken and fermented to extract the smoothest and softest tannins and flavours, and the wine is then aged for several years to reveal its qualities: crisp and complex aromas, balanced and full-bodied, elegant and firm on the palate. Currently, Château Smith Lafitte produces six wines: one red and one white, one red and one white, two secondary wines called Le Petit Haut Lafitte, and one red and one white, two tertiary wines called "Les Hauts de Smith". Château Smith Lafitte has stabilised in recent years, receiving high ratings from critics and the press in several vintages, and has been well received by the market. The top vintages of the winery into the 20th century are 2005, 2009, 2010, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
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