Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte 2012

Professional Ratings

• 96 Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
  Easily one of the most opulent wines from Pessac-Léognan and perhaps in the world of international Cabernet Sauvignon blends from anywhere in the world; the 2012 Château Smith Haut Lafitte is a smashing success. The wine shows elegant black fruits and sweet oak in the aroma. On the palate, it is satisfying. Shows well now with braised short ribs. (Tasted: January 30, 2015, San Francisco, CA)
• 95 James Suckling
  Aromas of cream, cooked apples and pears follow through to a full body with toasted-oak, cream and vanilla character buttressed by plenty of fruit. So much peach and apricot character. This a bright and flamboyant wine for the vintage. One of the best dry whites. Drink or hold.
• 95 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
  The opaque bluish-purple 2012 Smith Haut Lafite offers up notes of licorice, graphite, blueberry and blackberry fruit, a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel, stunningly ripe, velvety tannins and a long, long finish. This is another sensational effort from the Cathiards that is perfectly balanced, complex, super-rich and pure. Drink it over the next 20-25 years.
• 94 Wine Enthusiast
  This dark and dense wine is closed, with its tannins very dominant. It’s a solid, dark wine intense with juicy acidity, firm dry structure and a rich core. This is a magnificent wine for serious aging, with all the elements coming strongly into play. Drink from 2022. Cellar Selection.
• 94 Wine Spectator
  The layered fig, boysenberry and blackberry pâte de fruit notes are buttressed by ample, yet polished and integrated, ganache-coated tannins, while accents of black tea, ganache and tar course underneath. A really gorgeous display of fruit, showing terroir and cut on the finish. Best from 2018 through 2027.
• 94 Decanter
  Coming from a rainy vintage, this wine shows an elegant, fresh and fruity bouquet with liquorice, spices, blackberries and smoky aromas. It builds beautifully with age and offers an incredibly classic, elegant, juicy, velvety and fresh palate. It is in the middle of its maturity period and will be ready for consumption within the next five years.