2022, Château Smith Haut Lafitte Rouge, PESSAC-LEOGNANBordeaux Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot (1%) Daniel and Florence Cathiard transformed this property in the early 1990s and have been making very individual, stylish wines since then which combine flavours of classic earthy Graves with silky and seductive new oak from barrels produced by their in house Cooper. The 2022 is 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. The 2022 Smith Haut

the tannins are just gently sandy

cigar wrapper and sweet soil tones

but the supporting tannins are already well-integrated

and the classic qualities of the Savagnin grape bring vivacity

The 2007 La Mission Haut-Brion is one of the great successes of a vintage given the cold shoulder by consumers on initial release

this wine is considered today as the Village of Lafleur

described paradoxically by chef de caves Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon as ‘weightless density’

A cerebral proposition for serious Pauillac lovers

the various plots of vineyards within each of these estates delivered small volumes of wine with fantastic depth and complexity

with supple velvet tannins

quite Médoc-like in style

it confirms Gruaud's return to the Saint-Julien élite