2020 Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte Rouge

The 2020 Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte is a gorgeous second wine. Dark cherry, grilled herbs, menthol, licorice, plum, spice and tobacco infuse the 2020 with striking aromatic nuance. Cabernet Sauvignon drives the blend, and that is very much in evidence in the wine's flavor profile and overall structure. There's terrific depth and density here, not to mention tons of character.

- Antonio Galloni (12/2022)

Very floral with sliced oranges, currants and tobacco leaf. Medium-bodied, fresh, crunchy and delicious. Lovely energy. Drink or hold. (05/2023)

A more structured, serious wine, the more Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated 2020 Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte has pure cassis and ripe black cherry fruits as well as medium to full-bodied richness, ripe, velvety tannins, classic notes of leafy tobacco and spice, and a great finish. It stays in the pure, focused style of the vintage and is going to benefit from 3-4 years of bottle age. It will keep for 10-15. (03/2023)

The 2020 Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte Rouge is composed of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. Deep garnet-purple in color, it leaps with youthful notes of fresh blackcurrants, black cherries, and mulberries, giving way to notions of cedar chest, crushed rocks, and cumin seed. The medium to full-bodied palate is coated with ripe, seductive black fruits, supported by rounded tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and earthy. (03/2023)

Direct, with cassis, savory and mulled spice hints in the mix, finishing with a cedary pinch. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Drink now through 2025. 6,000 cases made, 1,500 cases imported.

- J.M.

More serious and structured than the Hauts de Smit, reflecting the larger proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend, the 2020 Le Petit Haut Lafitte reveals aromas of cassis, plums, bay leaf and smoke, followed by a medium to full-bodied, layered and incisive palate framed by youthfully chalky tannins.

- William Kelley (04/2023)