Description
This is a lively, precise expression of the estate’s second wine. The elegant herb freshness makes it feel effortlessly food-friendly without losing any of the estate’s polish.
TASTING NOTE: A medium to deep garnet-purple colour with a violet edge. On the nose: lovely blackcurrants and redcurrants with a touch of clove, crushed stone and fresh herbs, alongside dried bay leaf. On the palate: light to medium in body. Delicate and fresh red berry and blackcurrant flavours come through with a liquorice, cedar-tinged lift on the finish. Crunchy, racy acidity gives it energy, with fine, ripe tannins and a moderate alcohol level of 13.5%.
FOOD PAIRING, STORING AND SERVING: A versatile, food-friendly claret style that suits lighter meat and poultry dishes best. Roast chicken with herbs or pan-seared duck breast both work well, and for a plant-based option, a mushroom and thyme tart or grilled aubergine with romesco make a lovely match. No need to decant for long – 20-30 minutes is plenty given its freshness. Drink now, or keep until 2028-2030.
ABOUT: Château Smith Haut Lafitte is a historic Pessac-Léognan estate on a gravelly plateau in the Graves region, with vines first planted here in 1365. Now owned and run by Daniel and Florence Cathiard, the property is farmed organically and has built a reputation as one of the finest addresses in the appellation. Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte is the estate’s second wine, made in the same meticulous style as the grand vin from a Cabernet Sauvignon-led blend with 40% Merlot, offering an earlier-drinking, more approachable expression of the Smith Haut Lafitte terroir.
