Le Petit Smith Haut-Lafitte Pessac-Léognan rouge 2022 - Second vin BIO

Martillac’s flagship property, renowned for the quality of its facilities and its commitment to wine tourism, featuring the superb Sources de Caudalie resort (a 5-star hotel and spa, and La Grand’Vigne, a restaurant with two Michelin stars), Smith Haut-Lafitte is also a pioneering estate in its category for its viticultural philosophy, which Daniel Cathiard describes as “bio-precision,” with the goal of combining the best of nature with the best of science. Florence and Daniel Cathiard, who acquired the estate in 1991, can be proud of the work accomplished across the 78 hectares of vineyards. Respect for the terroir, precision in winemaking, an on-site cooperage, and dynamic communication: in just a quarter of a century, the Cathiards have firmly established themselves as legends in Bordeaux! The wines have found their true personality: gone are the days of excessive oak; they are now refined, perfectly expressing their terroir and brimming with energy. Hauts-de-Smith and Le-Petit-Haut-de-Smith receive the same care and attention as the grand vin, and it shows!

A magnificent nose, with notes of blackcurrant, vanilla, caramel, chocolate, tobacco, cherry, crushed stone, blueberries, and blackberries. Elegant and straightforward, with lovely acidity, this wine remains fairly linear, with the Cabernet providing structure, length, and fullness. There is a certain tension, but the texture is present, preventing any harshness or aggressiveness. A powerful and well-structured wine that retains a juicy sweetness in the background. Medicinal notes—clove and licorice, typical of Cabernet—are present, but the whole remains clean and harmonious. A full-bodied, velvety wine with refreshing crispness. Great potential and a truly impressive structure. 3.7 p. Aging: 30% new oak barrels. 2026–2040

A very charming second wine, with a nose marked by notes of ripe black fruit from a well-bred Cabernet Sauvignon, blended with a hint of mint. The Merlot, equally ripe, lends its round, velvety texture to a concentrated and creamy palate, supported by beautiful, rich tannins without the slightest harshness. This Pessac shows solid aging potential, with a fullness typical of the vintage. 2029–2038

The Cathiards are a success story in the French wine industry. After purchasing the estate in 1990, they shifted its focus toward quality—both in the vineyard and in the cellar—and positioned it as a high-end brand, notably by creating a wine therapy center on the premises. Like an increasing number of châteaux, Smith Haut-Lafitte has adopted a “bio-organic” approach: using organic anti-botrytis treatments, practicing massal selection, plowing with horses, and making compost...

 

What a journey this estate has been on since 1990, the year Florence and Daniel Cathiard purchased it! Starting with a classified growth in ruins and a vineyard that was virtually abandoned, these two new winemakers—he trained in the retail industry and she in communications—have built a name for themselves that commands respect. First, they set out to produce a wine that undoubtedly ranks among the elite of Bordeaux production; then, they made Smith Haut-Lafitte an unmissable stop on any wine-tasting tour. While the wines were at times a bit too ripe and oaky in their early days, their style has greatly refined over the past decade. The texture of the reds, combined with carefully controlled extraction and more delicate tannins, results in wines that reflect a more contemporary, less ostentatious style. The whites have also followed this trend, with the influence of aging being much less pronounced in recent vintages. The success shows no signs of slowing: Smith Haut-Lafitte’s wines are enjoying international acclaim and experiencing strong price growth.

Aromas of blackcurrant and blackberry, intertwined with notes of orange peel and rose petals, unfold on the palate. This well-structured wine features refined, silky tannins that linger on the finish. Lively and energetic. The second wine of the Smith Haut-Laffite estate. A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. Best enjoyed in 2 or 3 years.

Dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2022 Petit Smith Haut Lafitte is composed of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, and spent 14 months in barrels, 20% of which were new French oak. It is even better than the Les Hauts de Smith cuvée and displays magnificent aromas of black cherries, blackcurrants, burnt earth, tobacco, and graphite. This beautifully textured wine, with good structure and perfect harmony, features ripe tannins, a balanced and complex palate, and a lingering finish. It equals, if not surpasses, the 2020 vintage.

The nose is beautifully deep and elegant, offering a certain complexity, well-controlled intensity, and a lingering quality. It features notes of bright blackcurrant and bright cherry, along with more subtle, refined notes combined with hints of...