| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Pessac-Léognan |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
A beauty of cassis, plum, tobacco leaf and spice, this dark plum/purple-hued, medium to full-bodied 2003 reveals sweet, round, cassis flavors. It has reached full maturity, but shows no signs of decline, and should continue to hold at this plateau for another decade. Although the 2003 is not up to the perfect levels of the 2009 and 2010, it is unquestionably a noteworthy success in a vintage that did not favor Pessac-Leognan.
Deep crimson. Very round with fully resolved tannins. Much easier and possibly more worked than most with some Graves fragrance. (Average group score: 15.8)
Fabien Teitgen, Smith-Haut-Lafitte's in-house winemaker for the past six years, believes that perfectly ripe Cabernet Sauvignon provided the rich, exotic style that characterizes the estate's grand vin in 2003. The estate has 67 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon vines, making up 60 percent of the blend, with 30 percent Merlot and 10 percent Cabernet Franc. 8,330 cases made.
The opulent, accessible 2003 offers a dense plum/ruby-tinged color and a big, sweet bouquet of creme de cassis, smoked herbs, lead pencil, and subtle wood. It is a deep, fleshy, medium to full-bodied offering with low acidity, a plump, opulent texture, and a heady finish. Enjoy this beauty over the next 15+ years.
Broad, expansive, and more forward in style than usual, this deep ruby/purple-colored wine offers aromas of scorched earth, espresso roast, sweet plum and black currant fruit, and a hint of white chocolate. Full-bodied, with elegance allied with fleshy tobacco and spice box notes, it is a chewy, fleshy, attractive, pure example of Smith-Haut-Lafitte. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2020.
An estate run impeccably by the Cathiard family, Smith-Haut-Lafitte has been one of the bright shining stars of Bordeaux since the mid-1990s.
Suprisingly soft (a characteristic of this low acid, ripe year), the 2003 Smith Haut Lafite displays a deep plum.purple colour as well as an attractive perfume of roasted coffee, spice box, earth and copious quantities of red and balck fruits. As it sits in the glass, scents of white chocolate and coffee emerge. With low acidity and ripe fruit (the jammy black currant and cherry characteristics reveal unexpected freshness), this evolved essac-Léognan is best consumed between 2005-2014
Dark colour, intense aromas of black berries and licorice. Full-bodied with solid tannins and a long silky finish. Excellent depth here. Very well crafted. Smith Haut Lafitte continues to get better each year.
