Château Smith Haut Lafitte 2020
Château Smith Haut Lafitte, located in the Pessac-Léognan appellation of Bordeaux, is a prestigious winery known for its rich history and exceptional wines. Established in the 14th century, the estate has been recognized for its commitment to quality and innovation, producing both red and white wines. The vineyards predominantly feature Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc, showcasing the unique terroir of the region. Emphasizing organic and biodynamic practices, the winery focuses on sustainable viticulture. Château Smith Haut Lafitte is celebrated for its elegant, complex wines that age beautifully, making it a favorite among collectors and wine enthusiasts alike.
The mild, rainy winter encouraged early bud break in early March, while rising temperatures in April promoted vine growth. A rainy spell in early May increased mildew pressure, but the vineyard teams effectively managed it. The vine development, including flowering and veraison, was rapid and uniform. Summer conditions, characterized by heat and drought, led to water stress by the end of July. The harvest commenced on August 20 for the whites and September 9 for the reds, marking one of the earliest in the estate's history. The ripe red grapes were dense and consistently high in quality, with small berries featuring thick skins rich in concentrated tannins and a delightful aromatic freshness.
Rating: William Kelley 95+point: “The 2020 Smith Haut Lafitte is more structured and introverted than its 2019 predecessor, unwinding in the glass with aromas of cassis and plums mingled with notions of pencil shavings, violets and minty new oak. Medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, its velvety attack segues into a multidimensional mid-palate that's framed by rich, generously extracted tannins that assert themselves on the long, youthfully firm finish. This is a strong effort that's true to the house style and which will reward a little patience.” – Tasted on Apr 2023 by William Kelley
Appearance: Château Smith Haut Lafitte 2020 displays a deep, vibrant ruby color, indicative of its concentration and richness.
Nose: The nose is both expressive and complex, gradually revealing a rich blend of fruity notes, including red and black fruits like blackcurrant, plum, and cherry. It features empyreumatic notes, along with aromas of liquor ice and pencil lead, complemented by hints of cedar, spice, and floral undertones. Subtle nuances of vanilla and roasted coffee from oak aging further enhance its aromatic profile.
Palate: Powerful on the attack, the palate captivates with its smoothness, texture, balance, and freshness. Full-bodied and well-structured, it showcases refined, firm tannins that lend great persistence and an enveloping texture. Flavors of dark fruits, chocolate, and earthy notes emerge, accompanied by sweet spices, liquorice, tobacco leaf, and graphite. This vintage combines power with finesse, leading to a long, elegant finish that highlights its depth and balance, promising excellent aging potential.
Brand: Château Smith Haut Lafitte
Region: Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, France
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot
Size : 750 ml
拉斯密特酒莊 Château Smith Haut Lafitte 位於法國波爾多的佩薩克-萊奧南（Pessac-Léognan）產區，是一家享有盛譽的酒莊，以其豐富的歷史和卓越的葡萄酒而聞名。酒莊成立於14世紀，因其對品質和創新的承諾而受到認可，生產紅酒和白酒。葡萄園主要種植赤霞珠（Cabernet Sauvignon）、梅洛（Merlot）和長相思（Sauvignon Blanc），展示了該地區獨特的風土。酒莊強調有機和生物動力法，專注於可持續的葡萄種植。拉斯密特酒莊因其優雅、複雜的葡萄酒而受到讚譽，葡萄酒陳年表現優異，深受收藏家和葡萄酒愛好者的喜愛。
溫和的雨季冬天促進了三月初的早期萌芽，而四月的氣溫上升則促進了葡萄藤的生長。五月初的降雨增加了黴菌壓力，但葡萄園團隊有效地進行了管理。葡萄藤的發展，包括開花和變色，迅速而均勻。夏季的條件以炎熱和乾旱為特徵，導致七月底出現水分壓力。收成於8月20日開始採摘白葡萄，9月9日開始採紅葡萄，標誌著酒莊史上最早的收成之一。成熟的紅葡萄果實密集且品質始終如一，小果粒具有厚實的果皮，富含濃縮的單寧，散發出令人愉悅的香氣新鮮感。
評論：威廉凱利（William Kelley）95+分：「2020年的拉斯密特酒莊比2019年更具結構感和內斂性，在酒杯中展現出黑醋栗和梅子的香氣，夾雜著鉛筆屑、紫羅蘭和清新的新橡木氣息。是一件忠於酒莊風格的強勁作品，值得稍微耐心。
外觀：2020年的拉斯密特酒莊展現出深邃、鮮豔的紅寶石色，反映出其濃度和豐富性。
香氣：香氣表現豐富而複雜，逐漸顯現出多種水果香氣，包括黑醋栗、梅子和櫻桃等紅黑果實。它具有烘焙氣息，以及甘草和鉛筆芯的香氣，輔以雪松、香料和花香的細膩底蘊。來自橡木陳釀的香草和烤咖啡的微妙氣息進一步增強了其香氣特徵。
口感：在口感上，這款酒在開口時強勁，吸引人的是其順滑、質感、平衡和清新。酒體飽滿、結構良好，展現出細膩而堅定的單寧，賦予酒款極佳的持久性和包裹感。黑色水果、巧克力和土壤氣息的風味逐漸顯現，伴隨著甜香料、甘草、菸草葉和石墨的氣息。這一年份將力量與優雅結合，餘味悠長而優雅，突顯出其深度和平衡，承諾卓越的陳年潛力。
酒莊品牌：拉斯密特酒莊 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
產區：佩薩克-萊奧南，波爾多，法國
葡萄品種：赤霞珠、梅洛、品麗珠和小維爾多
容量：750毫升