2009 Smith Haut Lafitte Rouge, Pessac-Léognan

100JD

100RP

98DC

97JA

96JS

96WS

$299.99

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100

Jeb Dunnuck

Reviewed November 2020

I think the greatest Smith Haut Lafitte to date (possibly matched by the 2018), the 2009 Château Smith Haut Lafitte tastes like it did on release, offering a smorgasbord of Graves magic in its smoked blackcurrants, chocolate, cold fireplace, truffle, unsmoked tobacco, and Asian spices. While this is a big, rich, incredibly concentrated Graves, it nevertheless maintains a beautiful level of nuance and elegance, with silky tannins, a seamless, multi-dimensional texture, and a heavenly finish that keeps you coming back to the glass. As with all truly great wines, it delivers an incredible amount of pleasure, both hedonistic and intellectual, all while staying weightless, graceful, and elegant. Hats off to the Cathiard family and winemaker Fabien Teitgen for this legendary Graves!

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Professional Reviews

100

Wine Advocate

Review Date: 02/2012

The finest wine ever made by proprietors Daniel and Florence Cathiard, the 2009 Smith-Haut-Lafitte exhibits an opaque blue/purple color in addition to a glorious nose of acacia flowers, licorice, charcoal, blueberries, black raspberries, lead pencil shavings and incense. This massive, extraordinarily rich, unctuously textured wine may be the most concentrated effort produced to date, although the 2000, 2005 and 2010 are nearly as prodigious. A gorgeous expression of Pessac-Leognan with sweet tannin, emerging charm and delicacy, and considerable power, depth, richness and authority, it should age effortlessly for 30-40+ years. Bravo! (RP)

Decanter

Review Date: 06/2021

The 2009 logically displays the hallmarks of a wine from a sunnier vintage than the 2008 and shows a complex yet elegant bouquet with spices, graphite, blackberries, liquorice and slightly smoky aromas. It's full-bodied, with a spectacular balance, an elegant tannic frame and a racy freshness on the finish. As with many 2009 wines, it has a persistent and long finish that allows it to drink well today and during the next decade. (YC)

Jane Anson

Review Date: 06/2022

One of the vintages that saw Smith Haut Lafitte establish its dominance within the Pessac Léognan appellation, still tasting bright and full of supple, rich berry fruits. Cocoa bean, pencil lead and liqourice showcase the Cabernet dominance, this is confident, generous and just a wonderful wine, still young with many decades ahead of it.

Staff Reviews

Ralph Sands

Ripe and earthy, sweet and natural.

Notes

Smith Haut Lafitte Grand Cru Classé is planted to 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot on the gravelly soils of Pessac-Leognon, in the Graves region. With a vineyard history going back to the 14th century, the property is now owned and run by Daniel and Florence Cathiard, who have lavished attention and brought it to a wonderful state — so good in fact that the Wine Advocate rewarded this wonderful vintage with a perfect score.

Details

Type	Red Wine
Varietal	Cabernet Sauvignon and Blends
Origin	Pessac-Leognan/Graves, Bordeaux, France
Bottle Size	750 mL
SKU	1112974