2020 Château Smith Haut Lafitte Pessac-Léognan Grand Cru classé

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot aging in 60% new barriques, the very deep purple-black colored 2020 Smith Haut Lafitte makes an impactful entrance, opening with flamboyant notes of blackcurrant pastilles, chocolate-covered cherries and molten licorice, leading to nuances of ground cloves, woodsmoke, crushed rocks and dusty soil. The medium to full-bodied palate bursts with opulent black fruit preserves and shimmering mineral sparks, framed by exquisitely ripe and fantastically firm tannins and seamless freshness, finishing with epically long-lasting earthy and savory layers. This is the singular voice of Smith Haut Lafitte at its finest, and wow-oh-wow is it worth a listen. This 2020 has an alcohol of 14.5% with a pH of 3.65. The tannins this year were a little higher than 2018 and 2019. A little less than a third of production went into this grand vin." (Lisa Perrotti-Brown)

"Possibly ranking with the top two or three wines of the vintage, the 2020 Smith Haut Lafitte is a blockbuster that reminds me of a hypothetical mix of the 2009 and 2010. Based on a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, its dense purple hue is followed by a monster bouquet of ripe black fruits, scorched earth, charcoal, and graphite. All of these carry to a full-bodied Pessac-Léognan with flawless balance, loads of ripe, polished tannins, a dense mid-palate, and a great, great finish. It’s one of the gems in the vintage and should be snatched up by readers. Give bottles just 4-6 years in the cellar, count yourself lucky, and enjoy over the following 20-30 years." (www.jebdunnuck.com)

"Undurchsichtiges Purpur mit schwarzer Mitte, lila Rand. Vielschichtiges schwarzbeeriges Bouquet gepaart mit dominikanischem Tabak und exotischen Hölzern. Im zweiten Ansatz edle Cassiswürze, dunkle Schokotrüffel und Sandelholz. Am konzentrierten Gaumen mit cremiger Textur, betörend salziger Extraktfülle, engmaschiges Tanninkorsett und mit dichten Muskeln überzogenen Körper. Im katapultartigen Finale kleine schwarze Beeren, Estragon und eine volle Ladung Graphit. Erinnert mich an den 2016er. Ein *Oximore* JG meint Fabien schmunzelnd. Jubiläum: der 25. Jahrgang von Fabien Teitgen."