x
  • Country ranking ?

    227
  • Producer ranking ?

    7
  • Decanting time

    5h
  • When to drink

    now to 2035
  • Food Pairing

    Lamb Stew with Spring Vegetables

The Tb points given to this wine are the world’s most valid and most up-to-date evaluation of the quality of the wine. Tastingbook points are formed by the Tastingbook algorithm which takes into account the wine ratings of the world's best-known professional wine critics, wine ratings by thousands of tastingbook’s professionals and users, the generally recognised vintage quality and reputation of the vineyard and winery. Wine needs at least five professional ratings to get the Tb score. Tastingbook.com is the world's largest wine information service which is an unbiased, non-commercial and free for everyone.

Close

98 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

 This is an extraordinary performance once again from the Cathiard family, the proprietors of Smith-Haut-Lafitte. They think the 2010 is even better than the 2009. (I disagree, but only slightly.) This wine has laser-like definition in its an remarkable nose of a subtle charcoal fire interwoven with spring flowers, creme de cassis, blueberry liqueur and spicy wood. Full-bodied, stunningly concentrated, long, rich and moderately tannic, this wine is set for an exceptionally long life of 30-40 years but can be drunk in 5-7. (RP)  (2/2013) 

96 points Wine Enthusiast

 *Cellar Selection* A beautifully ripe wine with great black fruits that burst through the classic tannins. In its richness and in its structure, it combines the best of the vintage. Dark, complex, fruity and very rich, a magnificent wine for long-term aging. (RV)  (3/2013) 

96 points Wine Spectator

 Gorgeous, with alluring black tea and warm ganache notes that unfurl slowly, while the core of intense steeped plum, anise, blackberry compote and black currant confiture sits patiently in reserve. The beautiful loam-, tobacco- and tar-filled finish displays major heft, but also remarkable polish and grace. Should age very slowly. (JM)  (3/2013) 

95 points James Suckling

 Aromas of blueberries, blackberries and plums follow through to a full body, with velvety tannins and a fruity finish. Lots of mushroom and fruit undertones. Very polished. Such finesse yet structure to this young wine.  (11/2013)

Close

The Story

Each Château has its own style.  / What would be, according to you, the specificities of Château Smith Haut Lafitte Red?

The style of our red wine is very classic, with a beautiful expression of our terroir of Günzian Gravel which gives unique smoky notes. We pursue elegance and structure, freshness and complexity, balance and richness.
Our majority of Cabernet Sauvignon, harvested at full maturity and softly vinified to extract only the silkiest tannins, unveils after proper aging its full potential for years long.
The other grapes variety of our vineyard, the Merlot, the Cabernet Franc and the Petit Verdot add to the Cabernet Sauvignon their own aromas and participate in the typical harmony of our Cru Classé de Graves.

Which vintage of your Château red wine do you prefer?

Such as the whites, it is very difficult to pick a vintage among others, as every occasion and every meal will enlighten a specific vintage.
In my opinion, our 2000 red is a wine I would not doubt in comparing with the greatest reds from both banks. It has everything, except maybe some more years…
Another vintage we particularly cherish is the 2003, because despite the heatwave that affected the region, our early terroir allows us to harvest grapes at perfect maturity before they “cook” over the sun. Therefore we have a charming wine, whose freshness of aromas trouble the tasters at every blind tasting.
However I must say that we reached the zenith of our great reds with two legendary vintages: 2009 and 2010, though these two vintages have very little in common! 2009, my favorite, is powerful, charming, round and very “charismatic”… 2010, my husband’s favorite, is a beautiful classic, that expresses perfectly our Gravel terroir, with notes of black fruits, mineral finish and incredible Caudalies (the unit that measures length of wine flavors in mouth).

 

Close

Wine Information

The 2010 vintage will be remembered for: a sum of summer temperatures similar to 2009 (962°C as compared to 982°C), but much cooler than in 2005 (1052°C) and Rainfall was low from March to August 2010 (267mm), a dryness comparable to 2005 (227mm).

This was ideal for full ripening, while retaining the acidity typical of great Bordeaux vintages. The dry weather brought about an early stop to vine growth, and thus paved the way for a long, slow ripening period. The tannin had all the time it needed for total maturity. Red stems and brown crunchy seeds were sure signs of great phenolic maturity! Thanks to satellite photos of our vineyards we were able to produce a new detailed map of the estate, and were thus even more efficient in picking at the opportune moment, and therefore fine-tuning winemaking. The harvest began on 29 September in plots of young Merlot vines and finished on 22 October with Cabernet Franc

 

2010 Smith Haut Lafitte rouge is a deep, concentrated, nearly black colour. The bouquet displays a range of red and black fruit aromas, as well as ones reminiscent of spice and warm herbs. With aeration, the wine reveals magnificent black fruit, liquorice, clove, and graphite nuances...The wine starts out firm and straightforward on the palate. It is huge, but in no way austere. Its power comes through in a full-bodied flavour profile with a long aftertaste. The tannin is rich and silky, and the texture is well-defined thanks to ripe tannin and a careful control during extraction. The wine has an extremely well-focused structure and taste. The long aftertaste of liquorice, red fruit, and black fruit also features more subtle underlying flavours of hot stones and warm earth. This 2010 Smith Haut Lafitte rouge is undoubtedly one of the finest wines the estate has ever made.

Close

Vintage 2010

Drought and cool temperatures contribute to optimal ripeness

The sum of summer temperatures in 2010 was close to that of summer 2009 (962°C compared to 982°C), but significantly colder than those of 2005, which totaled 1052°C. These cool temperatures had a substantial influence on the balance of our wines, preserving a good level of acidity and an attractive aromatic freshness.

Very little precipitation (only 267 mm) from March to August 2010 generating a drought of similar intensity to that of 2005, when only 227 mm of rain fell.

Another characteristic of the 2010 vintage is the low temperatures especially during the first three weeks of August, which allowed good acidity levels to be preserved in the grapes while maintaining an attractive aromatic freshness.

 

 

 

Close

Tasting note

color

Full and Ruby red

ending

Long, Round, Spicy and Alcoholic

flavors

Blackberry, Blackcurrant, Licorice, Vanilla, Toasty and Leather

nose

Intense, Complex and Refined

taste

Average in Acidity, High alcohol content, Medium tannin, Perfectly balanced, Well-Integrated, Well-structured, Developing, Full-bodied, Round, Harmonious, Dry and Silky tannins

Verdict

Outstanding and Masterpiece

Written Notes

Still a young wine that electrifies every taste bud in your mouth. It has fabulous aromas of black truffles, currants, raspberry and dried flowers. Full-bodied, with masses of silky, refined tannins and a finish that lasts for minutes. Stunning.

  • 98p

Aromas of blueberries, blackberries and plums follow through to a full body, with velvety tannins and a fruity finish. Lots of mushroom and fruit undertones. Very polished. Such finesse yet structure to this young wine.

  • 95p

Temptingly rich and layered, with complex mocha, plum and wild berry fruit that’s spicy and aromatic. Full-bodied, gaining depth and turning ever more elegant and detailed, with tannins that give this traction.

  • 97p

Magnum. Very dark blackish crimson. Deep purple right out to the rim. Great energy and savour – a more energetic, appetising wine than the 2009. Excellent palate attack and nerve. Rich start and then very fine tannins. Still embryonic. But a lovely undertow. 

  • 95p
This 2010 Smith Haut Lafitte rouge is undoubtedly one of the finest wines the estate has ever made. 2010 Smith Haut Lafitte rouge is a deep, concentrated, nearly black colour. The bouquet displays a range of red and black fruit aromas, as well as ones reminiscent of spice and warm herbs. With aeration, the wine reveals magnificent black fruit, liquorice, clove, and graphite nuances... The wine starts out firm and straightforward on the palate. It is huge, but in no way austere. Its power comes through in a full-bodied flavour profile with a long aftertaste. The tannin is rich and silky, and the texture is well-defined thanks to ripe tannin and a careful control during extraction. The wine has an extremely well-focused structure and taste. The long aftertaste of liquorice, red fruit, and black fruit also features more subtle underlying flavours of hot stones and warm earth.
Beautiful, bright and intense colour. Wonderful, classic Cabernet nose with the touch of crème de cassis, truffles and cedar. A wine of enormous constitution and overwhelming power. Aromas of very ripe raspberries, with bread crumbs and tobacco. Excellent depth and ripeness with good balance. Long and tannic finish. A truly respectable masterpiece of this château.
  • 96p
Deep ruby. Dark berries, minerals, floral, deep and rich nose, graphite minerality beneath. Fresh acidity, high of ripe tannins, fruity, nuanced, bit biting texture, long finish. 96
  • 96p
Load more notes

Information

Origin

Martillac, Bordeaux

Vintage Quality

Outstanding

Value For Money

Best buy

Investment potential

Below Average

Fake factory

None

Other wines from this producer

Château Cantelys

Château Cantelys blanc

Château Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc

Château Smith Haut Lafitte, Casher

Hauts de Smith Blanc

Le Petit Haut Lafitte

Le Petit Haut Lafitte Blanc

Les Hauts de Smith

Les Hauts de Smith rouge

Highlights

Latest news

WINERY NEWS Gaja / Vintage Report 2023 The 2023 vintage has been showing common characteristics throughout all of ou  more ...
TASTINGBOOK WINE NEWS FINE Wine Magazines / Now users can read the previous issues of Fine Wine Magazine and Champagne Magazines digitally
WINERY NEWS Salon / France offered a bottle of Champagne Salon 1948 to King Charles III, during his first official visit  more ...
WINERY NEWS Maison Louis Latour / The Bourgogne 2023 vintage: Surpassing all expectations!  It's been some time since Bour  more ...
WINERY NEWS Olivier Leflaive / 2022 is a sunny and warm vintage with a immediate generous character. Highly long-awaited after a  more ...
WINERY NEWS Graham's / Introducing a Limited Edition Case of 1970 and 2020 Vintage Ports – Our First NFT Launch We  more ...
WINERY NEWS Alois Lageder / The Year 2023 at the Alois Lageder Winery Alois Clemens Lageder: „The first musts and wi- n  more ...
WINERY NEWS Tenuta Belguardo / BELGUARDO V - The first DOC Maremma Toscana Vermentino Superiore   October 2023_Foll  more ...
WINERY NEWS Bec Hardy / Vintage 2023 - WINEMAKING VINTAGE WRAP UP Vintage 2023 was a real rollercoaster ride; the in  more ...
WINERY NEWS Luciano Sandrone /  The growing season 2023 - Towards the harvest The agrari  more ...
WINERY NEWS Gramercy Cellars / Spring Release Wines for 2023! This is a release that everyone at Gramercy is honored to show.   more ...
WINE NEWS: Black Label NV (10's) / Champagne Lanson ditches Le Black Label Brut After db broke news of the planned move ea  more ...
WINE NEWS: Brut Premier NV (10's) / Louis Roederer Launches its Replacement for Brut Premier with Collection 242 NV Louis Roederer Re  more ...
TASTINGBOOK WINE NEWS Finland could seek EU recognition as a wine-producing country by 2028 / Wine production in Finland is extremely small-scale.
TASTINGBOOK WINE NEWS Tastingbook organized the world's largest tasting of the 1990s decade. / Over 250 best wines from 1990-1999 tasted 
TASTINGBOOK WINE NEWS Hill of Grace – Celebrating 60 Years. / by Andrew Caillard MW
WINERY NEWS Henri Boillot / 2020 Vintage was a delight as both winegrower and winemaker. It is with great sadness and emotion  more ...
WINERY NEWS Catena Zapata / HARVEST REPORT - 2023 The 2023 wines will be among the most age worthy. After the October and Nov  more ...
TASTINGBOOK WINE NEWS BWW 2023 - The Best Wine of the World -Competition voting is over! / Almost 3 million votes have been cast for 17,721 wines from 543,000 wine professionals and wine enthusiasts
TASTINGBOOK WINE NEWS 100 BEST CHAMPAGNES 2023 / by Champagne Magazine

Wine Moments

Here you can see wine moments from tastingbook users. or to see wine moments from your world.
Incorrect Information
If you found some information that is wrong, let us know
Are you sure you want do delete this wine? All information will be lost.
Are you sure you want to recommend this wine?
Are you sure you want hide this written note ?
Are you sure you want show this written note ?
UPGRADE MEMBER PLAN
Upgrade your membership now, it's quick and easy. We use PayPal, the world's largest payment system, it accepts all credit cards. Once you've chosen your membership level, you'll go directly to PayPal. You can cancel your membership at any time.
Thank you for your support!
 

X-MAS Special Offer

 

Pro Member

 

Winemerchant Member

 

Winery Member

 

User

 

HOW TO USE TASTINGBOOK?

We recommend you to share few minutes for watching the following video instructions of how to use the Tastingbook. This can provide you a comprehensive understanding of all the features you can find from this unique service platform.

This video will help you get started



Taste wines with the Tastingbook


Create Your wine cellar on 'My Wines'



Explore Your tasted wines library



Administrate Your wine world in Your Profile



Type a message ...
Register to Tastingbook
Sign up now, it's quick and easy.
We use PayPal, the world's largest payment system, it accepts all credit cards.
Once you've chosen your membership level, you'll go directly to PayPal, where you can sign up for a free 7-day trial period. You can cancel your membership at any time. We wish you a rewarding journey to the world of Fine Wines.

 

X-MAS Special Offer

Free 7 days Member trial

 

Pro Member

 

Winemerchant Member

 

Winery Member

 

User

  Register
BWW 2024

BWW 2024 - Who is the Best Wine Critic of the World?

 

VOTE NOW YOUR FAVOURITE WINE CRITIC!

 

Wine Professionals and wine lovers from all around the world choose, who is most reliable and influential wine critic in the world.

BWW - Best Wine of the World -Competition is the largest wine competition in the world, whether measured by the number of wines, the number of consumers involved or the judges taking part.