Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte 2020

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.

Dark blackcurrant on the nose, clearly speaking of Cabernet Sauvignon with medicinal herbal touches too—mint, bramble and dark chocolate. Very gently chewy, with such a subtle bounce on the palate; the ripe fruit comes through to give density while the Cabernet Sauvignon provides the strength, the structure and the backbone. It fans outwards, reaching the sides of the mouth yet retaining a sense of refinement. It doesn’t feel overworked; there’s tension but nothing harsh. Structured and serious, yet full of life, with great acidity and a mouthfilling crushed-stone texture. Really delicious, and I love the outward freshness. A lovely Petit in 2020 that will also age well. Serious but captivating. Ageing 14 months, 15–20% new oak

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

The 2020 Le Petit Haut Lafitte has retained its Pomerol-like bouquet with blackberry, boysenberry, chalk and light sous-bois scents. Nicely focused. The palate is well balanced with quite firm, edgy tannins, touches of licorice infusing the black fruit, a little austere toward the finish though with adequate freshness. Fine.

Vibrant, fresh, lifted and elegant, it takes no effort to dig into the glass and find all of the layers of chocolate-covered plums, currants, cherries, licorice, smoke, and salt-edged tannins. Medium-bodied with opulence and vibrance, this could be my favorite vintage of Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte produced yet. Drink from 2024-2040.

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.

Deep purple with an opaque core and a ruby rim. Interwoven bouquet of dark cherry, refined cassis spice and licorice. On the layered palate, soft texture, grainy extract, supportive verve and medium body. A focused finish with black-berry contours, dark graphite and delicate astringency.

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.

A sparkling, alluring nose with aromas of fresh purple fruits, macerated strawberries, and wildflowers. Silky and supple on the palate, with a serious, textured finish.

Beautiful deep red with purple highlights. Superb, intense nose—refined, fruity, pure and silky. A perfect balance between freshness and maturity. A touch of vanilla. Extremely precise on the attack, with a delicate feel and fine flesh; it melts on the palate, juicy, airy and deep. It coats the mouth on the finish, with nuances of raspberry and pear, followed by a superb tannic texture. It is the greatest ever produced.

Supple, velvety tannins set the scene here, adding depth and texture to the cassis and bilberry fruits, with a lovely edge of sage, orange peel and cocoa powder. More serious than Les Hauts de Smith, this has clear ageing capacity. 30% new oak. An upscore from En Primeur.