2017 Chateau Smith-Haut-Lafitte rouge - Pessac-Leognan Cru Classe

Decanter.com – 95 pts – YC: *The 2017s in Bordeaux are truly stunning; this is no exception, possessing a smoky bouquet with mocha, cocoa and toasty notes, and a fresh and peppery nose. Juicy and sappy, the palate is medium-bodied, layered and textured, with both elegant and velvety tannins. It's a profound 2017.* - 06/2021

Falstaff Magazin – 93 pts - PM: *Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung, schwarze Beerenfrucht, Brombeeren, Lakritze, zarte Edelholzwürze, Nougattouch. Straff, schwarze Kirschen, präsente engmaschige Tannine, frische Struktur, zarte dunkle Schokoladenote, rote Johannisbeeren im Nachhall, betont mineralischer Wein, gutes Entwicklungspotenzial, zitroniger Touch im Finale.* - 05/2018

Vinum Magazin – 17,5/20pts: *Verführerische, ausbaugeprägte viel versprechende Aromatik; voller Ansatz, weich wie ein Samtkissen, dicht und ungemein gefällig; ein Muss für Freunde des Gutes. Jung geniessen.* - 09/2020

WeinWisser – 18,5/20pts - WL: *Tiefes Granatrot mit rubinrotem Rand. Intensives Bouquet mit einer vollen Ladung schwarzer Johannisbeeren, dahinter eingekochte Waldbeeren, frischer Thymian und Lakritze. Am kräftigen Gaumen mit cremiger Textur und mehliger Extraktsüsse, reifes dichtes Tannin umspannt den Körper. Im komplexen Finale überzeugt der Modellathlet mit sehr langem Rückaroma nach Wacholder, dominikanischem Tabak und stützender Adstringenz. Grossartige Leistung von Fabien Teitgen, die 19 Punkte sind in greifbare Nähe gerückt!* – 04/2020

JancisRobinson.com – 17/20pts – TP: *Tasted blind. Deep ruby colour. Seductive and spicy nose, full of leather, black fruit and cedar. Some oomph on the palate here, finding ripe red fruit together with baking spice and star anise. The acid is still high, but the fruit copes with its cutting nature. Earthy but long and matched by fruit that adds real elegance.* - 09/2021

Vinous.com – 97 pts - AG: *The 2017 Smith Haut Lafitte is fantastic. Rich, sumptuous and opulent, the 2017 dazzles with total class. Inky blue and purplish fruit, chocolate, licorice, menthol, sage and lavender infuse the 2017 with striking layers of depth and complexity. A wine of tremendous character and balance, the 2017 is flat-out gorgeous and very clearly one of the wines of the year.* - 03/2020

Vinous.com – 94 pts – NM: *The 2017 Smith Haut Lafitte has an open and expressive bouquet, a mixture of red and black fruit, pressed iris petals mixed with subtle marine notes, iodine and seaweed. It is not as powerful as the 2018 but it is nicely focused. The palate is fresh on the entry with crisp tannins and vibrant black fruit. There is superb energy towards the graphite and mint infused finish. There is a lot of energy in this 2017 that actually renders it quite approachable, though I would prefer to leave bottles down in the cellar for several years.* - 02/2020