2012 Le Petit Haut Lafitte
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
The third wine from Smith Haut Lafite, the 2012 Le Petit Haut Lafite, is in essence a second wine made from young plots of Cabernet Sauvignon. It has a nice attack with loads of black fruits, but narrows out in the mouth and finishes with slight austerity and a more compact style. This is a good wine, but not anything to get excited about. Drink it over the next 5-7 years.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
A Bordeaux displaying intense aromas and flavors of red cherries, plums and dried flowers. Full body, refined yet firm tannins, lovely acidity and a long, spicy finish. Very cabernet. Drink in 2016. Feb 2015, www.jamessuckling.com
The third wine from Smith Haut Lafite, the 2012 Le Petit Haut Lafite, is in essence a second wine made from young plots of Cabernet Sauvignon. It has a nice attack with loads of black fruits, but narrows out in the mouth and finishes with slight austerity and a more compact style. This is a good wine, but not anything to get excited about. Drink it over the next 5-7 years.<br><br>This is another great turn-around effort that dated from the acquisition of this once moribund estate in 1990, by Daniel and Florence Cathiard. They continue to do an exemplary job with both white and red. Apr 2015, www.robertparker.com, Drink: 2015-2022
About the producer
Ch. Smith Haut Lafitte is one of the leading lights of Pessac-Léognan today – all thanks to Daniel and Florence Cathiard, who took over the property in 1990 and have since transformed the estate, converting to biodynamics and crafting wines of increasing finesse.