Smith Haut Lafitte 2007

The outstanding 2007 Smith Haut Lafitte offers up notes of charcoal, sweet black currants, licorice, and spice box. This delicious, medium to full-bodied, pure, deep, rich effort with silky tannins builds incrementally across the palate. It can be drunk now or cellared for 15+ years. Bravo!

This has a very upfront nose and in a completely bizarre way reminds me of some of the Central Otago Pinot Noirs that I was tasting in New Zealand a few weeks before all those black cherries, Doris plum but here infused with a little cedar and there in the background a touch of mango sorbet. Medium-bodied, very fine tannins and focus this is Smith Haut Lafitte showing its refined nature with just a touch of tar on the finish. Perhaps rather stoic and foursquare at this age but good potential. Tasted April 2008.

Solid core of fruit here for the vintage. Slightly better than I remember with hints of chocolate, sweet tobacco, and currants on the nose and palate that follow through to a full body and a velvety textured finish. Drink now.

Purple with a pale rim. Lightweight nose but everything in balance with nice frank fruit and the tannins are supple and fine. Lively and in the flirtatious, easy idiom of the vintage. Easy and breezy. Not especially ambitious but a good drink. Congratulations are in order on not fighting the vintage character. Drink 2012-16

This wine has a sensational smoky nose with notes of gunflint and bonfires. Serve it in a big glass and savour the wonderfully complex aromas. On the palate it is silky smooth with soft, cashmere tannins and ripe plum and bramble fruit. There are hints of toasted brioche and exotic Asian spices.. The smoky character of the nose continues on the palate right through to the long finish. This is real essence of Graves. Modern but refined and classy. A really multi-dimensional young claret that can be enjoyed now or kept for many years. Highly recommended.

Medium ruby-red. Black raspberry, smoky dark chocolate and a whiff of game on the nose. Suave, sweet and consistent, in a rather gentle style for this chateau. Plenty of fruit here, lifted by understated minerality. Finishes with ripe, fine tannins and subtle persistence. Not a powerful wine but very successful for the year.

Deep purple-red. Sweet cassis and oak on the nose. Well-structured palate with refreshing acidity. Brisk tannins, but fine-grained. Lovely cassis fruit on the palate. Mineral, stony finish. Very nice. Longer term. Drink 2015-23. 4 stars.