2025, Château Smith Haut Lafitte Rouge, PESSAC-LÉOGNAN

Daniel and Florence Cathiard transformed this property in the early 1990s, making very individual, plush wines since then which combine flavours of classic earthy Graves with silky and seductive new oak from barrels produced by an in-house cooper.
Sadly the 2025 was Daniel Cathiard's last, as he died in January 2026. There will be a special commemorative label - (as shown above) for the 2025 vintage.

68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot

This is so good, so much energy and depth, slate and wet stones holding interest and the palate expands, showing fragrant capsicum pepper, crushed mint, toasted spices, cumin, liquorice, cassis, cocoa bean, fully in the DNA of Smith Haut Lafitte. Harvest 1 to 30 September, and here they paused over that rain of September 23, as did Château Margaux - both estates were richly rewarded for this choice. 50% new oak for ageing. Last vintage of Daniel Cathiard, and expect a label commemorating the remarkable impact he had on this brilliant estate. 2035-2055. 98 Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux.

So aromatic and expressive, with pure currants and mint, plus some chocolate. Fennel too. Wow. Medium- to full-bodied with very deep fruit, fine, velvety tannins and a long, fine texture. The precision and depth are impressive. More fruit-driven than usual. It grows on the palate and is compact at the end. Very cabernet in the end. Almost like St.-Julien and Pauillac in nature. 97-98 James Suckling.

The 2025 Smith Haut Lafitte has a well-defined bouquet with mainly black fruit intertwined with Earl Grey, sous-bois and cigar box scents, a much more classical style of Smith Haut-Lafitte. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, a subtle tobacco note that percolates through the black fruit, more structure coming through towards the sapid finish with a dash of black pepper on the aftertaste. This will fill out in barrel and should become a refined and quite delicious Smith Haut-Lafitte that will repay time in bottle. Drink 2031-2055. 95-97 Neal Martin, Vinous.