Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte 2009
-
Parker
Robert - Decanter
-
Spectator
Wine -
Suckling
James -
Enthusiast
Wine
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Blend: 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot
Professional Ratings
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The finest wine ever made by proprietors Daniel and Florence Cathiard, the 2009 Smith-Haut-Lafitte exhibits an opaque blue/purple color in addition to a glorious nose of acacia flowers, licorice, charcoal, blueberries, black raspberries, lead pencil shavings and incense. This massive, extraordinarily rich, unctuously textured wine may be the most concentrated effort produced to date, although the 2000, 2005 and 2010 are nearly as prodigious. A gorgeous expression of Pessac-Leognan with sweet tannin, emerging charm and delicacy, and considerable power, depth, richness and authority, it should age effortlessly for 30-40+ years. Bravo!
-
Decanter
The 2009 logically displays the hallmarks of a wine from a sunnier vintage than the 2008 and shows a complex yet elegant bouquet with spices, graphite, blackberries, liquorice and slightly smoky aromas. It's full-bodied, with a spectacular balance, an elegant tannic frame and a racy freshness on the finish. As with many 2009 wines, it has a persistent and long finish that allows it to drink well today and during the next decade.
-
Wine Spectator
This is really loaded, with crushed plum, blueberry, cassis, fig and blackberry paste flavors all melded together, along with notes of tar, pastis and violet. Very long and dark, but polished and pure, with terrific fruit offset by a great tug of earth on the finish. Should cruise easily in the cellar. Best from 2015 through 2035.
-
James Suckling
Aromas of flowers, dried citrus fruit and blueberries follow through to a full body, with firm and silky tannins and a long, long finish. Gorgeous fruit and structure. Polished and powerful. Best red ever from Smith. Best in 2018.
-
Wine Enthusiast
Very dense and firm, this has powerful tannins as well as a blackberry jam flavor. The wine is complex, full of both dark tannins and the richest fruits, layered with notes of herb, spice and a concentrated structure.
Other Vintages
2022-
Suckling
James -
Dunnuck
Jeb - Decanter
-
Parker
Robert
-
Suckling
James - Vinous
-
Parker
Robert -
Dunnuck
Jeb - Decanter
-
Parker
Robert -
Dunnuck
Jeb -
Suckling
James -
Enthusiast
Wine - Decanter
-
Spectator
Wine
-
Suckling
James -
Dunnuck
Jeb -
Enthusiast
Wine - Decanter
-
Parker
Robert -
Wong
Wilfred -
Spectator
Wine
- Decanter
-
Dunnuck
Jeb -
Suckling
James -
Spectator
Wine -
Parker
Robert -
Enthusiast
Wine
-
Parker
Robert -
Suckling
James -
Dunnuck
Jeb -
Enthusiast
Wine - Decanter
-
Spectator
Wine
- Decanter
-
Parker
Robert -
Spectator
Wine -
Dunnuck
Jeb -
Enthusiast
Wine -
Suckling
James -
Guide
Connoisseurs'
-
Suckling
James - Decanter
-
Parker
Robert -
Dunnuck
Jeb -
Spectator
Wine -
Enthusiast
Wine
-
Enthusiast
Wine -
Suckling
James -
Wong
Wilfred -
Spectator
Wine - Decanter
-
Dunnuck
Jeb -
Parker
Robert
-
Wong
Wilfred -
Parker
Robert -
Suckling
James -
Spectator
Wine - Decanter
-
Enthusiast
Wine
- Decanter
-
Suckling
James -
Parker
Robert -
Dunnuck
Jeb -
Spectator
Wine -
Enthusiast
Wine
-
Dunnuck
Jeb - Decanter
-
Parker
Robert -
Spectator
Wine -
Enthusiast
Wine -
Suckling
James
- Decanter
-
Suckling
James -
Parker
Robert -
Enthusiast
Wine -
Spectator
Wine
-
Parker
Robert -
Spectator
Wine -
Enthusiast
Wine
-
Parker
Robert -
Spectator
Wine -
Enthusiast
Wine
-
Dunnuck
Jeb -
Parker
Robert -
Suckling
James -
Spirits
Wine & -
Spectator
Wine
-
Parker
Robert -
Enthusiast
Wine -
Spirits
Wine & -
Spectator
Wine
-
Suckling
James -
Spectator
Wine -
Parker
Robert
-
Spectator
Wine -
Parker
Robert
-
Parker
Robert
-
Parker
Robert -
Enthusiast
Wine -
Spirits
Wine & -
Spectator
Wine - Decanter
-
Suckling
James
-
Spectator
Wine -
Suckling
James -
Parker
Robert -
Spirits
Wine &
-
Parker
Robert
-
Parker
Robert -
Spectator
Wine
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.