2002 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
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Critic scores
Wine Spectator
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
One of the darkest crimsons here. Dense and thick. Lots of acidity. A very admirable effort to fight against the vintage character not wholly successful. Just a tad bitter on the end. (JR)
Very dark for a 2002. Scented. Sweet start and definitely not BIG but well judged even if in a minor key. Some slight spritz. Not persistent. (JR)
Savoury, meaty undertow. Full of fruit. Quite jazzily styled. Maybe it’s just slightly too volatile? Definitely modern idiom. Quite supple. Chewy finish; this should have a longer life than many 2002s. A little inky and dry. Needs lots of time. The oak is pushing through now. (JR)
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.