2019 is a vintage defined by its greatness in depth. Quality runs right through from top to bottom in this celebrated year, creating brilliant opportunities for drinkers seeking value.
Les Hauts de Smith is a perfect example of this. A wine that has been a real hit for Farr staff and customers alike in recent vintages, the 2019 is another resounding success with the vintage's signature silky drinkability in abundance.
The Cathiard family have worked wonders at Smith Haut Lafitte, making it consistently one of the top wines of Pessac-Léognan with an embarassment of high scores from the critics and such celebrity visitors to the estate in the last year as the King of England and Jay-Z.
Les Hauts de Smith flies under the radar - a second label that is Merlot-led and as a result has a beautiful sheen with a seamless texture and succulent fruit. The 2019 has 93 points from Galloni and Suckling, 91 from Neal Martin and 90 from William Kelley. More than that, the wine is simply delicious. We have tasted many vintages of this wine at the Farr offices and the 2019 is as good as any. The silken texture means you can drink it now, though it will continue to develop beautifully for over a decade.
While the Grand Vin is now £900 a case, this value pick is available for £240 per 12 in bond with volume discounts on both bottles and magnums. This is another hit for both château and vintage, and is a lot of wine for the money. The wine is in stock and available for delivery.
The 2019 Les Hauts de Smith has gained quite a bit of volume in élevage. Plush and expansive in feel, Les Hauts offers a striking combination of Merlot richness complemented by Cabernet Sauvignon aromatics and structure. Dried herbs, leather, licorice, game, smoke and tobacco add layers of nuance. The 2019 should be an absolute delight in another few years' time.
Very pretty aromas of sweet berries with some violets and sweet tobacco. Full-bodied with chewy tannins, as well as crushed-stone character with lavender. Medium, juicy finish. 60% merlot and 40% cabernet sauvignon. Drink after 2024.
A Merlot-based blend, the 2019 Les Hauts de Smith offers up aromas of rich berry fruit, cherries, bay leaf and loamy soil. Medium to full-bodied, ample and velvety, it's broad and fleshy, with a ripe core of fruit, fine tannins and lively acids. Gourmand and expressive, it is drinking well on release. 2021 - 2033
The 2019 Les Hauts de Smith presents a crisp, pure nose of black plum and red currant fruit, plus subtle undergrowth and light minty aromas. The palate is harmonious on the entry with pliant tannins and gentle grip. A little firmer on the finish than last year, albeit still offering attractive clove and black pepper notes that linger on the aftertaste. Delicious.
Mid ruby in colour, the 2019 Hauts de Smith is open-knit and delicious to drink already. Fragrant with cherry blossom and deeper dark plum notes on the nose, the palate is silky and seamless. Midweight and fine, the juicy blue and black fruit at the core is moreish and supple. Elegant yet ripe, there are flecks of sweet spice throughout, adding complexity and depth. Enjoy now, or over the coming 8+ years.
This is a little more subdued than some vintages at this point of Les Hauts de Smith, there is more structure than in 2018 for example. Give it time, as it unrolls to show delicious waves of luscious cracked pepper and sappy cassis fruits, with a scrape of salinity and turmeric spice on the finish.
