It has so much personality, showing grilled apricots and concentrated, rich citrus, green apple with rosemary and sage edging, grapefruit, and a mineral lick on the finish. The acidity gives persistency and lift, but it feels tame and under control.
Made from a blend of wines from Château Smith Haut Lafitte, Les Hauts de Smith is fermented and aged with just as much care as the Grand Vin. From the vineyard to the cellar, exactly the same winemaking techniques are used. Yield: 32 hl/ha, before production was divided into three wines: Château Smith Haut Lafitte, Les Hauts de Smith, and Le Petit Haut Lafitte. The grapes are hand-picked into small crates and pressed in an oxygen-free environment using inert gas to retain the grapes aromatic potential, followed by fermentation in French oak barrels (50% new oak) and cold settling. The wine is then 12 months on the lees in barrels (50% new oak) from our own on-site cooperage. The average age of the vines is 11 years old.
Thanks to its 55 hectares of superb gravelly vineyards, Smith Haut Lafitte is often referred to as the "archetypical Graves." The estate's history goes back to the Crusades, and a Scottish navigator, George Smith, who became the owner of the estate in the 18th century. He was followed by M. Duffour-Dubergier, Mayor of Bordeaux, and then Louis Eschenauer, a famous wine shipper.
In 1990, Daniel and Florence Cathiard also fell under the spell of this beautiful estate. Since then, they have restored the 16th century tower, renovated the 18th century manor house, built two underground cellars, went back to traditional vine growing methods without chemical herbicides and set up their own cooperage. The perfect elegance, excellent balance and fine structure of Smith Haut Lafitte's red and white wines are the ultimate reflection of the current owners' total commitment to quality.
Grape Variety: Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon
ABV: 13.5%
Vol: 750ml
