93-95

Antonio Galloni

Vinous

The 2025 Smith Haut Lafitte is a very classy, elegant wine. Lavender, spice and mint open first, followed by a burst of black/purplish fruit. Medium in body, with terrific freshness, the 2025 is impeccably done. The lighter style vis-à-vis most years is quite attractive. 04/2026

95-97

Neal Martin

Vinous

The 2025 Smith Haut Lafitte was picked between September 3 and 30 at 28 hl/ha and raised in 50% new oak. It 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 compared to recent vintages. 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. 05/2026

97-99

Jeb Dunnuck

Jeb Dunnuck

One of my favorite wines in the vintage, the 2025 Château Smith Haut Lafitte is based on 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot, raised in 50% new oak, 45% old barrel, and 5% foudre. Beautiful darker fruits, scorched earth, smoky tobacco, chocolate, and graphite all define the aromatics, and on the palate, it's full-bodied, with a deep, concentrated mid-palate, beautiful tannins, and nicely integrated acidity. It brings beautiful ripeness as well as a balanced, textured, seamless style. 05/2026

98

Jean-Marc Quarin

Jean-Marc Quarin

Couleur noire, intense et belle. Nez très aromatique, fin, fruité, pur et subtil. Touches mentholées, réglissées et fraîches. Suave en entrée de bouche, très aromatique au milieu, avec une des textures les plus hédonistes jamais vues ici, le vin caresse le palais avant de s'élargir après le milieu de bouche tout en continuant à fondre sans cesse. Une expression rare de ce cru probablement induite par la présence de 12 % de rafles lors de sa vinification. Assemblage : 68 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 27 % Merlot, 4 % Cabernet Franc, 1 % Petit Verdot. Degré d'alcool : 13,5 - pH : 3,6. Rendement : 28 hl/ha. Elevage : 50 % en barriques neuves. 04/2026