Futures Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte Rouge 2020

Crafted in the prestigious Pessac-Léognan appellation of Bordeaux, Château Smith Haut Lafitte Rouge 2020 is a benchmark Grand Cru Classé de Graves red wine from one of the most dynamic estates in Bordeaux. Owned and managed by Florence and Daniel Cathiard, the estate is renowned for its organic and biodynamic farming practices. Sourced from a Gunzian gravel plateau over clay-limestone bedrock, the hand-harvested grapes are vinified in thermo-regulated wooden vats before aging for 18 months in French oak barrels (60% new, made in the estate's in-house cooperage). The 2020 vintage marks the estate’s 630th harvest and stands as a magnificent, concentrated expression of power, elegance, and stony minerality.

Food Pairing: Prime ribeye steak, roasted rack of lamb, venison tenderloin, braised short ribs, and mature hard cheeses.

99 Points - James Suckling

Extremely fresh and deep in the nose with raspberry and blackcurrant character, as well as stone, fresh green tobacco and ink. Full-bodied with a dense center palate and gorgeous fine yet steely tannins. It calms down at the end with berries, citrus and some lavender. Salty at the end. Very minerally. Flinty. From organically grown grapes. 65% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot, 4% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot. Give it four or five years to come around.

95 Points - Robert Parker The WIne Advocate

The 2020 Smith Haut Lafitte is more structured and introverted than its 2019 predecessor, unwinding in the glass with aromas of cassis and plums mingled with notions of pencil shavings, violets and minty new oak. Medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, its velvety attack segues into a multidimensional mid-palate that's framed by rich, generously extracted tannins that assert themselves on the long, youthfully firm finish. This is a strong effort that's true to the house style and which will reward a little patience.

95 Points - Wine Spectator

Exotic and lush in feel, with well-steeped plum, boysenberry and blackberry fruit flavors rolling through, scored with hints of espresso crema, dark tobacco and black licorice along the way. Very polished in feel, but with a late flicker of savory and a subtle tug of earth to keep this honest in the end. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2026 through 2037. 10,000 cases made, 2,400 cases imported.