97

Antonio Galloni

Vinous

The 2020 Smith Haut Lafitte is every bit as captivating as it was from barrel. Ample, rich and explosive, the 2020 offers up an exciting mélange of dark fruit, chocolate, spice, gravel, leather and dried herbs, with a touch of new oak that adds raciness. This towering, vertical Smith Haut-Lafitte won't be ready to drink for a number of years, but it is super impressive. Even with all of its intensity, the 2020 retains terrific freshness and energy. 12/2022

96

Neal Martin

Vinous

The 2020 Smith Haut Lafitte has a glorious, complex bouquet that has evolved very well in barrel. Beautifully-defined with blackberry, peony, sous-bois and crushed stone, very precise and detailed. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy, succulent tannins matched by a countervailing bead of acidity. Very detailed with a judicious touch of white pepper towards the finish that fans out extremely well. This is a deeply impressive Smith Haut Lafitte that is one of the Cathiard's finest in recent years. 12/2022

95+

William Kelley

Robert Parker/Wine Advocate

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. 04/2023

95

Jean-Marc Quarin

Jean-Marc Quarin

Couleur sombre, intense, pourpre et noire. Nez très aromatique, fin, fruité, pur, mûr, crémeux et très frais à la fois. Nuances d’encre, de bois précieux et d’épices. Très délicat en entrée de bouche, minutieux au milieu, avec de la nuance dans le goût, le vin évolue long, parfumé, tendre et sèveux. C’est très bon. Assemblage : 65 % cabernet sauvignon, 30 % merlot, 4 % cabernet franc, 1 % petit verdot. Degré d’alcool : 14°5 – pH : 3,65. Avec un tel pH, il sera intéressant d’observer l’évolution de ce vin en fin d’élevage. Rendement : 30 hl/ha. Production : 45 % de la récolte.

99

James Suckling

James Suckling

Extremely fresh and deep in the nose with raspberry and blackcurrant character, as well as stone, fresh green tobacco and ink. Full-bodied with a dense center palate and gorgeous fine yet steely tannins. It calms down at the end with berries, citrus and some lavender. Salty at the end. Very minerally. Flinty. From organically grown grapes. 65% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot, 4% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot. Give it four or five years to come around. 11/2023