Dark fruit, good acidity, felt fresh with good form and nice structure. About 93/95 for me. Will likely improve, but felt somewhat open for business with appropriate air time
Obviously still a bit on the young side, but otherwise excellent; after just an hour in the decanter, it’s easy to forget how young it is. At times, it felt a bit over extracted.
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Well made, all elements in balance with ripe tannins giving it body. Dark fruits, cedar, and tannins are prominent today. Tastes like a classic California Cabernet from the 80s which I find exceptionally promising. The wine was very young and not as lush as last tasted in 2020… until magic happened after three hours in the decanter. This wine is fantastic! Terrific potential. It lives up to the initial reviews. Try again in 2031, but if you have a few bottles why not throw a steak on the grill and pull a cork?
Still too young. Decanting over 2 hours was quite effective though. Raspberry and blackberry. Tannins are still too strong and need to settle. Too early for greater complexity. Will wait a couple of years.
Open this bottle by mistake, meant to grab the 2016 blanc (that's when you know you need reading glasses!). On the nose it's a touch closed, stil a bit young and shy. After about an hour, it started to open up and this is a beautiful wine for the price; primary notes are cherry and raspberry, secondary and tertiary notes have not developed yet (as is to be expected). Medium+ body, robust tannins that are already pretty well integrated. I thought it was too young to drink, but with a bit of air it was able to shine!
Kräftiges Rubinrot. Die Nase ist ein Gedicht, sowas von schön, verführerisch, ja fast schon eine Droge, man möchte stundenlang schnüffeln, florale Töne, dunkle Beeren, perfekt integriertes Barrique. Im Gaumen klar und rein, was für ein Wein, ungemein präzis, mit knackiger Frucht, einem Strukturkorsett aus seidigen Tanninen und einer top Säure, hier ist alles an seinem Platz, jedes Detail stimmt. Ausgezeichnete Länge und viel Frische im Abgang. Grandiose Qualität. Ein grosser Wein ist immer gross: 2022 bis 2050+
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Opened way too young, but by accident. I meant to grab the Le Petit Haut Lafitte 2016 but grabbed the "main wine" instead! It was pretty obvious after tasting. Still rough and not yet integrated. My score reflects how it tasted over the last three days, not what it will become, which I suspect is closed to 96 points. Purple with dark fruits, moderate tannins. Bright acidity. Oak not fully integrated. This will be amazing in 10 years.
way to young, I know....actually approachable with 4-5 hour decant. This is sweet, this needs time for the sweetness to dissipate. sweet cherry, with some cedar and huge dose of espresso. the balane is really good (fruit to oak to tannin), but lacks any secondary notes. But this does not seem shut down like many other 2016's. a really good bottle that in 10-15 years will be really damn good!!!
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Why do I keep drinking this!? It's going to be so good down the road that I should keep my hands off. Perhaps my favorite vintage ever of SHL Rouge in terms of material and youthful potential. 93+
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This wine is dark, inky purple in color with ruby edges. Decanted for 3 hours and the balanced acidity-to-tannins was excellent for a young wine. The nose of cassis, flint, slate and dusty rose was subtle but powerful! Across the palate, initially dark fruit moved across mid-palate to an herb and tapenade mix that evolves to slate and chocolate. A pleasingly long finish embraces your mouth and a bit of fruit surfaces again. Love it!
This wine was a gift. We opened the bottle and let it sit for an hour without decanting. That was a mistake. First pour was very rough, so we aerated it. Then it was better. And kept getting better and better. Nicely layered with lots of nuanced herbs, spices, minerals, and earth, with just enough fruit to balance it all. Long finish. We didn't bother aerating the last third of the bottle, because it was already delightful. This is the first time I ever had a bottle of wine go from $20 to $200 in the glass. Did I say it was delightful? Well, you might want to hold it a year or so longer, but it certainly was.
Well. This wine is incredible and has so much promise for the future. It has shut down since my last tasting of it and required a 1.5 hour decant, re corking and drinking on day 2 after a 1.5 decant. At this time, the balance and purity of fruit is amazing. I will respectfully disagree with previous notes stating that this wine was overhyped. If you taste this without air you will be disappointed. This needs 4-5 years minimum just like a cellar worthy grand cru burg. Hold this 4-5 years maybe ten and will be rewarded!
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I cannot understand the hipe concerning this producer. I had expected more paying a high price for a bottle of wine that to me seems onedimensional. Showing mostly aromas of black chocolate, some dark fruit flavors and leather tones. I dont know what it will be in some years, and it is certainly a good wine, but in my opinion not worth the money.
After an 1 hr decant, had excellent floral, and ripe berry smell and flavor. Was a bit lighter in body than expected, but good structure with layers and wonderful smooth long finish. I would give this 5 yrs before opening another bottle.
No notes taken. This is the first time I tried this since the arrivage tastings. This bottle is beautifully showcasing what makes 2016 so great: there is so much freshness and purity of fruit. Yes, the fruit are ripe enough but everything is so cool and fresh like in a cold year, yet the tannins are ripe and the wines rich. Not comparable to any other more recent vintage. Yes, the wine is not fully open right now and will need a few more years to get to a first nice drinking window but this was a very convincing performance. 94 points, certainly with the potential to reach the >95 points category.
From Half bottle. Brooding nose of blackcurrant, mixed sweet and pungent spices, crushed rocks, sandalwood and tar. Medium to full body, lots of sweet ripe tannins. Deep and engaging complex flavours of bright blackcurrant and blackcherry fruits, toasty sweet oak with a focused core of earth, tobacco and savoury minerals. Lingering and structured.
After recent CT’er reviews I decide it was time to open one. 6 hour double splash decant and this bottle was singing. Served up at a dinner party with no formal notes taken. One of the stars of the show with a wide variety of wines open. 16 Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte 18 Matt Morris Heritage 18 Bedrock Enz 16 Cedric Bouchard Les Ursules 80 MA Mas Amiel
I was going to hold off on this for a few years but with all the great reviews I thought I would see what this is all about. After a 6 hour decant this really started to open up. The nose had expressive notes of blackcurrent, dark plum, florals, cassis, cacao, bay leaf and a touch of tobacco. The palate was fresh, energetic yet focused, with lush dark berries, savory herbs, black peppercorn, and cedar. The purity of fruit on this wine is just outstanding along with velvety sexy tannins and persistence to a long and spicy finish. Wow!
This smells and tastes like Graves in every way and is the best young vintage of SHL that I can remember. The nose is full of smoky black raspberry fruit with notes of minerals and sweet tobacco. On the palate, I gave it a 5-hour decant and it needed every minute only just showing up at dinner with a charred Buvette steak. Very fine and layered with perfect balance and great flavors of smoked meats, tobacco and black raspberries. Medium-bodied yet voluminous with excellent cut and depth. The finish is loaded with substantial but ultra-smooth tannins that just glide over the tongue with notes of graphite minerals and endless tobacco leaf. A brilliant young wine that should be spectacular in 10+ years and so expressive already of this wonderful terroir. 94+
Upon opening took one sip, closed for business. 5 hours in, this is starting to sing. Wow! A big full bodied wine. With menthol, baking spice and licorice on the nose. Huge expanding palette of baked blueberry pie, vanilla, star anise, tree sap. Masculine but not over done. Very long drying, mouth puckering finish. This is clearly young but so impressive already. I can only imagine what the future holds.... 96 and will surely gain a couple of points in the future.
Blackberry, cassis, vanilla, leather; full, bold, expansive, very long gradual gravely finish; certainly a little closed but somehow also bursting with fruit nonetheless After 3 Hours: Similar as earlier, but nose and palate are both more integrated with more perfume on the nose and also with notes of cinnamon, and the palate displaying greater depth yet still, with hints of caramel emerging; similar after six hours as well, though never really adequately opening up; enjoyable now but clearly better to hold for later
Another beautiful Sunday experiment...seems like friends on here have been enjoying this youngster lately, so had to try one of mine. Manure on the pnp nose, needs 2 hours to fully blow off. Decanted for a total of 6 hours and the final hour during and after dinner was the very best. This has wonderful dark fruit all day long....initially quite a bit tannic, but not more so than any young Cali cab. At about 4 hours the tannins receded a good bit and the last 2 hours are so very balanced with the fruit and acidity. This is pushing the '16 Pontet Canet for top billing in my book. PC just a bit more fragrant upfront. This has beautiful mouth glide to the wine, in fact some of the nicest glide I have felt in a long time. Must be the minerality of the region? So very smooth, such high quality winemaking. Excellent QPR in my book.
Paired extremely well with charred ribeye, rice with mushrooms and peas. Really gained points as the dinner hour progressed. Still sipping the last few drops. If I can make it last another 30-40 min it may be a 97.
Decanted for 2 hours then consumed over the next four. I wish I had waited, kinda. I was itching to try a 2016 Bordeaux and this seemed as accessible as I could experience at this point. However, this bottle was all promise: the fruit tantalizing amidst the fogbank of tannin. Too young for me.
Superb! Will be buying more. Drank it over 2+ hours. By the end of the bottle, it was superb. Picked up another 3 bottles which will be cellared for several years. Future looks bright!
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This is young, grapey, and so delicious. Reminds me of a young California Cabernet in the 80s: ripe, balanced, explosive flavors, with the right touch of tannins. You owe it to yourself to pop a cork now before it shuts down. Drink 2031 - 2041.
95+ this wine is so freaking good. 6 month check in, lol. It is So giving on the nose with deliciousness, big fruit, deep cassis , earthy notes and all kinds of spices and vanilla candle wax. My prior note still applies as well.
Then when you think since it’s a Bordeaux it will be much lighter on the palate, POW this comes through with a sturdy back bone and some fruit mid-palate, flexing its New world influence , in a good way. Solid finish but overall on the palate while robust, still far more balanced than any Napa cab/blend wine in this price point. This wine is just a sexy beast , I love it , it’s one of my favorite in these last few years.
This is amazing but has a Long way to go. Dark fruit, leather and tobacco. Fruit ripe enough to drink amidst tannic backbone. Drink with a heavy and rich meal, 2-3 hour decant or best hold.
Wow. Wow. Wow. Although this wine is younger, it is incredibly approachable now. I would argue that this is better than the 100-point 2016 Chateau Pontet Canet, but this may be different in 20 years. However, currently, the Smith-Haut Lafite is drinking much better than the Pontet. Deep purple, blueberry, black current, medium acidity, mild tannins, and great complexity jump out. It is simply a delicious wine.
Revised tasting of another bottle. It was not as good as the first. Probably 94/100 points. It is good, but not as amazing as the first. Not sure why.
93-94, I round up as I like this one. Give it 5 hour decant at this young age... black cherry, red raspberry, cassis, tobacco, spice, a little musk/animal. On PNP the wine was more savory, black cherry and more prominent musk, after 6 hour decant it had more red berry fruit forward and less savory/animal. Medium weight with nice clean, glossy mouthfeel and precise fresh acidity. Sleek grippy tannin. Medium+ finish. Slight alcohol on the finish, but not as noticeable at cooler temps. If the alcohol was better integrated, this would be 95. 92-93 now, and 93-95 over time, depending on how the alcohol shakes out...... time will tell. I rather like this one. Not as good as the Lynch Bages though.
Wow, the wine is gorgeous magenta, slight milky on the pour but just the perfect color with a glow. just nutmeg and butter explosion overlaying the classic Bordeaux aromatics on the nose. This wine is legit.
This was my first SHL ever, and one of the few French wines I’ve tried. I typically stick with the Napa fruit bombs, mainly because of familiarity. Notes of cassis, blackberry, red licorice, herbs and a touch of mint. Very well balanced with a substantially long finish. Decanted half the bottle on day one, slow ox day two. The wine mellowed quite a bit overnight as it initially was a little hot and overpowering. What impressed me the most was how smooth this wine became on day two, very balanced even though the tannins were quite dominating. Much more subtle than the Napa wines I’m used to, which is refreshing.
Nose: Black cherry, blackberry pie crust, violet flower, warm cedar and graphite. Elegantly perfumed.
Mouth: Round, full cassis with flashes of cherry cordial and licorice roll through in slow waves, crashing against each other before immediately doing a U-turn and snapping into a midpalate of dark tobacco, black earth, and graphite. Finish lingers endlessly on this note, turning bitter/tarry as it adds a bit of dried herb and very slowly fades. Throughout, muscular tannins linger on the sides, giving an additional brooding feel to the package.
Overall: At the moment this has flashes of elegance, but is still very much in bruiser territory. The layers are immense, the finish refuses to quit. It's a deep black well as it stands, and deserves to be laid down for quite a while to try and mature and let so much of what it offers integrate. Titanic, and has an endless runway ahead of it. Five years minimum, Probably 2045-50 maximum. 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot.
Nose: Nice red fruits like fresh, dark red cherries, dark ripe strawberries, cranberries, a slight carbonic nose, slight barnyard funk and/or brett, soft forest floor with undergrowth, a really subtle spice and barely any oak. If this was served blind, I would have guessed Pinot Noir.
Palate: Dark red fruits with integrated deep rich earth, slight oak and a slight spice (or heat, hard call), slight tobacco leaves and finishes with some minerality and something like black tea.
Dark ruby with a slight purpling. Dry with medium amounts of fine, grippy tannins. Medium-plus body with medium amounts of acidity. Good finish of about 14-16 seconds. Good intensity, fresh and seems just a tad wild in terms of juiciness and acidity. But I think that's due to the youth of this wine. Not that I would know but I think at least 7-8 years for the acidity to calm down for this to show well. It's really hard to imagine how this would be later down the line but it should be better integrated. It's good and well made but not my style.
Other details: No decant, time in glass only. Due to cooler weather conditions, pours from the bottle were about 58° but was able to get to to about 63° which was showed better: darker, richer, less sharp in acidity and more dense.
Still very tightly wound but showing some of the tremendous potential for the future. Inky dark in the glass, with blackberry, anise and charred oak on the nose, plum and blackberry and licorice and espresso on the palate. Monolithic tannins that you can already see resolving beautifully.....in a couple of decades. Edged out a 2016 sassicaia that it was tasted against This could be gorgeous when mature. So take the score as a conservative impression of where it is now. Bury it for at least 20 years. Score 94+. Relative to expectations: ++
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Much more linear and red-fruited at the moment when directly compared to the more unctuous and concentrated 2015 SHL, this 2016 displays red raspberry, red and black cherry, menthol, sage, and subtle tobacco notes on the front end. A quick shot delivery that fires fairly quickly across the palate, stopping just enough to offer up some rounder versions of fruit flavor on the mid-palate before racing off to the straight-lined finish. Never fully envelops the palate depth-wise, but offers purity and freshness that compels one back for another sip. A few hours of decanting helps a little, but the flavor expansion stays at more of a furrowed brow level.
For me, the 2015 is a rocket launcher when compared to the 2016’s slingshot of an attack. At present, the 2016 is a little geeky and straight-laced. Leave it alone for another 7-10 years minimum. 94++ points with upside after 2030.
If you get fired-up over taking calculus tests and think lab rats are your friends, drink the 2016 now. If you’re someone who actually had a girlfriend in college, stick with the 2015 SHL.
The depth of color is serious. On the nose, there is dark red fruits, licorice, smoke, herbs and espresso bean. The wine is clearly intense, and also lifted, which is very hard to do! The oak is better integrated than in previous vintages and the velvet and silky texture on the palate is a complete turn on. Everything is in balance and harmony here. The finish is seamless. This is going to age quite well.
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Dark red, purple, inky colored. Slow moving, long legs. We savored this wine over 6 hours with medium rare Filet for an accompanying meal. Aromatic, black currant, oak, coffee, maybe a burnt wood smell or wood smoke at times. I keep expecting tobacco and lead pencil in the aroma but neither is emerging. When first opened we both reported a strong alcohol taste. Not hot, but definitely alcoholic. With time, that taste receded and black currant took over as well as a subtle coffee taste and a distinct woody flavor. Not overwhelming woodiness. A smooth, full bodied wine with a long, enjoyable finish. The nose and taste are more complex and interesting after 5 hours. A great wine, very enjoyable today, but clearly very young. We likely won't touch again for a year or two.
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The 2016 vintage UGCB tasting in Amsterdam 2/25/2019; 2/25/2019-2/27/2019 (Amsterdam): This wine is extremely seductive; what a superb bouquet from flowers to crispy and juicy fruit. This continuous in the midtaste combined with lovely fat. After that the wine can not completely hold this superb level in the aftertaste, which is very good, but not so intense. Maybe time will fill in the wine completely.
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This is a strong candidate for the best wine yet produced by the Cathiard family at Smith Haut Lafitte. The inky color lets you know this is going to be packed and stacked with layers of ripe fruit. But there is more going on here than concentration. Dense, yet light on its feet, the fruit displays a level of purity not seen here before. The oak is better integrated and velvet and silky texture is a complete turn on Everything is in balance and harmony here.
UGC SF - Medium body, bit of tobacco on the nose, has some restrained richness, medium dark red fruit, at first more elegant then turns tannic and a little backward; definitely needs age.
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Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux 2016 Vintage Tasting (Las Vegas, NV): Deep-to-opaque ruby, the 2016 Smith Haut Lafitte is nothing short of spectacular. A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, it is packed with Montmorency cherries, dried cranberries, jasmine, licorice, dark chocolate and graphite. Full-bodied, layered on the mid-palate and with good lift, it delivers its flavors wrapped with abundant silky tannins and seamless alcohol. Finishing with impressive length, this is a superb wine with lots of upside potential. Drink 2024-2046.
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SHL has been dialed in since 2005 and there is no end in sight. This was once again a seamless wine in the style of SHL with less makeup from the oak (in the style of 2015) Loam and tobacco are hidden under the crunchy fruit and the oak treatment seems to bring just the right amount of polish into the picture to make this another beauty that throbs on the palate or a full minute. Wine making on steroids, but with meticulous precision. I thought this was great, but this was the first time I did not buy this in a while in that I thought it followed the 2015 to a tee, yet it fell just a tad short. I prefer to buy more 2015...If you don't have the 2015, this is a must. Drink or HOLD
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A singular wine made by an artist, technical director Fabien Teitgen. The taste is idiosyncratic without ever losing precision. Not for everyone; it rolls around the tongue seeking equilibrium, but then as it warms up and unfurls -- out comes deep cassis, peppercorn, leather, and dark, dark chocolate (is that the 10% Cabernet Franc?). Definitely needs time to bed down all the youthful angular energy, but already fascinating and intellectual. I snagged 6 bottles based on my tasting of the 2015s and wished I got more. Can't wait to uncork this in a decade or so.
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UGC Bordeaux (Drake Hotel - Chicago IL): Tasting, brief note. Lots of plum and cherry with outstanding spice. Very finessed and charming with great balance. Best Smith Haut Lafitte I can ever recall. 93-95 point potential.
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Zachys Grands Crus de Bordeaux 2016 (New York City, NY): A big wine and worthy of aging. Large viscous mouthfeel with flavors of tobacco with a presence of berry and also dark cherry. The best of the Passac-Leognan tonight.
Bordeaux 2016: A first glimpse of the 2016 vintage at a UCG/merchant tasting. The aromatic depth and the soft and accessible structure are amazing and clearly ahead of the 2015s which were more on the fruitier, riper side but often less deep and especially on the left bank more austere (despite the hot vintage). 2015 seems a right bank year, while 2016 might turn out to be THE left bank year. I’ve tasted some 15 wines only (not all reviewed) with the Pichon Comtesse (98, best young left bank I’ve had to date) clearly at the top, followed by the Figeac (97, so much depth) and Carmes Haut Brion (96, probably the number one underrated and upcoming winery in Bordeaux). Positive surprises were the Léoville Barton (96, pure precision and coolness) and the Pape Clement (so seductive) with great quality/price ratios. Even I’ve bought a ton of 2016s en Primeur I would buy more after this tasting if it wasn’t for 2018 lining up to be another exceptional vintage.
TN: Very quirky nose full of marijuana and vegetal flavors (which I don’t overly like). With time in the glass that more and more disappeared (but never quite fully). Underneath tons of very candied (but not overripe) red (and some dark) fruit. The most candied sexy fruit of all 2016s that day. Could well become a crowd pleaser. Not sure if every bottle has that quirky nose. I hope not! What’s underneath is very exciting. First sips 88, last sips 96+.
Arvi Standing Bordeaux 2016 Tasting (Dolder Grand, Zurich): Intense, dark fruit and lots of herbs initially reminding of - brace yourself - cannabis. Great delicate texture, layered complexity on the palate with various shades of berries. Still lots of tannins that will need to integrate. The SHL is an excellent advocate for the 2016 vintage combining intensity, elegance and freshness.
This just keeps getting better and better. Intensity, power, concentration, lush, soft, polished tannins and a finish that sticks with your for about 50 seconds, letting you delve into its dark, ripe, smoky fruits, licorice, earth, espresso nose and cashmere tannins. Is this the best vintage of Smith Haut Lafitte? Maybe. Regardless, it is going to give the 2009 and 2010 a run for the money.
BBR 2016 Bordeaux tasting (London): Very floral and mineral at the same time. Fresh, clean, all the elements are right in this wine. Just superb and with impeccable balance. So good already! 95-97p
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Really lovely nose - ripe fruit, spicy, brooding, mineral, lots of depth. On the palate rich and glossy, still vibrant and fresh, grippy tannins, very long. Precise and still generous. Very impressive and one of my favourites at this 2016 tasting. 95-96+
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With a good depth of color, the wine is almost opaque with dark purple accents. Espresso, smoke, black fruits, wet earth, licorice, truffle and dark chocolate come right out, when asked. Full bodied, fat and opulent, with serious density, length, character and tannins. The tannins are ripe, but this is going to need time in the cellar, even with all the ripe, supple fruits. - The wine was made from a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, reaching 13.75% alcohol with a Ph of 3.7, the harvest took place from September 22 to October 12 and the Grand Vin represents just 40% of the harvest.
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3/16/2024 - Gdubya Likes this wine: 94 Points
Dark fruit, good acidity, felt fresh with good form and nice structure. About 93/95 for me. Will likely improve, but felt somewhat open for business with appropriate air time
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3/8/2024 - Harfouch Does not like this wine:
Deserves a low rating. High tannins. With an off-putting bitter finish.
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1/25/2024 - Enricaccio wrote: 94 Points
Obviously still a bit on the young side, but otherwise excellent; after just an hour in the decanter, it’s easy to forget how young it is. At times, it felt a bit over extracted.
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11/4/2023 - Lipsman wrote: 96 Points
Well made, all elements in balance with ripe tannins giving it body. Dark fruits, cedar, and tannins are prominent today. Tastes like a classic California Cabernet from the 80s which I find exceptionally promising. The wine was very young and not as lush as last tasted in 2020… until magic happened after three hours in the decanter. This wine is fantastic! Terrific potential. It lives up to the initial reviews. Try again in 2031, but if you have a few bottles why not throw a steak on the grill and pull a cork?
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7/24/2023 - Kiralux Likes this wine: 91 Points
Still too young. Decanting over 2 hours was quite effective though. Raspberry and blackberry. Tannins are still too strong and need to settle. Too early for greater complexity. Will wait a couple of years.
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7/16/2023 - EBIII wrote: 90 Points
Dry, full bodied, young
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6/10/2023 - PlanetX wrote: 95 Points
Union Grands Crus Bordeaux (UGC) 2020 Tasting (Hangar 14, Bordeaux): Surprisingly tannic, this is representative of the vintage as it will take time to emerge but no doubt it will and be a classic SHL.
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5/16/2023 - Enricaccio Likes this wine: 93 Points
Open this bottle by mistake, meant to grab the 2016 blanc (that's when you know you need reading glasses!). On the nose it's a touch closed, stil a bit young and shy. After about an hour, it started to open up and this is a beautiful wine for the price; primary notes are cherry and raspberry, secondary and tertiary notes have not developed yet (as is to be expected). Medium+ body, robust tannins that are already pretty well integrated. I thought it was too young to drink, but with a bit of air it was able to shine!
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2/27/2023 - vvWine.ch Likes this wine: 98 Points
Kräftiges Rubinrot. Die Nase ist ein Gedicht, sowas von schön, verführerisch, ja fast schon eine Droge, man möchte stundenlang schnüffeln, florale Töne, dunkle Beeren, perfekt integriertes Barrique. Im Gaumen klar und rein, was für ein Wein, ungemein präzis, mit knackiger Frucht, einem Strukturkorsett aus seidigen Tanninen und einer top Säure, hier ist alles an seinem Platz, jedes Detail stimmt. Ausgezeichnete Länge und viel Frische im Abgang. Grandiose Qualität. Ein grosser Wein ist immer gross: 2022 bis 2050+
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2/5/2023 - LT98 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Opened way too young, but by accident. I meant to grab the Le Petit Haut Lafitte 2016 but grabbed the "main wine" instead! It was pretty obvious after tasting. Still rough and not yet integrated. My score reflects how it tasted over the last three days, not what it will become, which I suspect is closed to 96 points. Purple with dark fruits, moderate tannins. Bright acidity. Oak not fully integrated. This will be amazing in 10 years.
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2/3/2023 - Jefferyist wrote: 88 Points
Fruits in the nose, very bright, finishes like lemon. It's ok but too acidic that it would be hard to pair with foods even fish. Will not buy again.
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12/24/2022 - zimmy07 Likes this wine: 94 Points
way to young, I know....actually approachable with 4-5 hour decant. This is sweet, this needs time for the sweetness to dissipate. sweet cherry, with some cedar and huge dose of espresso. the balane is really good (fruit to oak to tannin), but lacks any secondary notes. But this does not seem shut down like many other 2016's. a really good bottle that in 10-15 years will be really damn good!!!
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12/3/2022 - dream Likes this wine: 93 Points
Why do I keep drinking this!? It's going to be so good down the road that I should keep my hands off. Perhaps my favorite vintage ever of SHL Rouge in terms of material and youthful potential. 93+
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11/26/2022 - Swanywawa Likes this wine: 97 Points
This wine is dark, inky purple in color with ruby edges. Decanted for 3 hours and the balanced acidity-to-tannins was excellent for a young wine. The nose of cassis, flint, slate and dusty rose was subtle but powerful! Across the palate, initially dark fruit moved across mid-palate to an herb and tapenade mix that evolves to slate and chocolate. A pleasingly long finish embraces your mouth and a bit of fruit surfaces again. Love it!
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8/19/2022 - camroc830 Likes this wine: 97 Points
This wine was a gift. We opened the bottle and let it sit for an hour without decanting. That was a mistake. First pour was very rough, so we aerated it. Then it was better. And kept getting better and better. Nicely layered with lots of nuanced herbs, spices, minerals, and earth, with just enough fruit to balance it all. Long finish. We didn't bother aerating the last third of the bottle, because it was already delightful. This is the first time I ever had a bottle of wine go from $20 to $200 in the glass. Did I say it was delightful? Well, you might want to hold it a year or so longer, but it certainly was.
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6/4/2022 - LauzonVineyards Likes this wine:
Paris. $80
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4/26/2022 - Perthor01 Likes this wine: 94 Points
very earlyl but great wine....
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3/7/2022 - UFGators wrote:
Well. This wine is incredible and has so much promise for the future. It has shut down since my last tasting of it and required a 1.5 hour decant, re corking and drinking on day 2 after a 1.5 decant. At this time, the balance and purity of fruit is amazing. I will respectfully disagree with previous notes stating that this wine was overhyped. If you taste this without air you will be disappointed. This needs 4-5 years minimum just like a cellar worthy grand cru burg. Hold this 4-5 years maybe ten and will be rewarded!
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12/3/2021 - Piffpaff wrote: 90 Points
I cannot understand the hipe concerning this producer. I had expected more paying a high price for a bottle of wine that to me seems onedimensional. Showing mostly aromas of black chocolate, some dark fruit flavors and leather tones. I dont know what it will be in some years, and it is certainly a good wine, but in my opinion not worth the money.
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6/26/2021 - Mapka1 Likes this wine: 93 Points
After an 1 hr decant, had excellent floral, and ripe berry smell and flavor. Was a bit lighter in body than expected, but good structure with layers and wonderful smooth long finish. I would give this 5 yrs before opening another bottle.
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6/23/2021 - Cailles wrote: 94 Points
No notes taken. This is the first time I tried this since the arrivage tastings. This bottle is beautifully showcasing what makes 2016 so great: there is so much freshness and purity of fruit. Yes, the fruit are ripe enough but everything is so cool and fresh like in a cold year, yet the tannins are ripe and the wines rich. Not comparable to any other more recent vintage. Yes, the wine is not fully open right now and will need a few more years to get to a first nice drinking window but this was a very convincing performance. 94 points, certainly with the potential to reach the >95 points category.
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6/13/2021 - wineappellation Likes this wine: 96 Points
From Half bottle. Brooding nose of blackcurrant, mixed sweet and pungent spices, crushed rocks, sandalwood and tar.
Medium to full body, lots of sweet ripe tannins. Deep and engaging complex flavours of bright blackcurrant and blackcherry fruits, toasty sweet oak with a focused core of earth, tobacco and savoury minerals. Lingering and structured.
65% Cab, 30% Merlot, 4% Cab Franc, 1% PV. 60% new oak.
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4/9/2021 - MJP Hou TX Likes this wine: 96 Points
After recent CT’er reviews I decide it was time to open one. 6 hour double splash decant and this bottle was singing. Served up at a dinner party with no formal notes taken. One of the stars of the show with a wide variety of wines open.
16 Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte
18 Matt Morris Heritage
18 Bedrock Enz
16 Cedric Bouchard Les Ursules
80 MA Mas Amiel
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4/2/2021 - Alexander Smith Likes this wine: 97 Points
I was going to hold off on this for a few years but with all the great reviews I thought I would see what this is all about. After a 6 hour decant this really started to open up. The nose had expressive notes of blackcurrent, dark plum, florals, cassis, cacao, bay leaf and a touch of tobacco. The palate was fresh, energetic yet focused, with lush dark berries, savory herbs, black peppercorn, and cedar. The purity of fruit on this wine is just outstanding along with velvety sexy tannins and persistence to a long and spicy finish. Wow!
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2/26/2021 - dream Likes this wine: 94 Points
This smells and tastes like Graves in every way and is the best young vintage of SHL that I can remember. The nose is full of smoky black raspberry fruit with notes of minerals and sweet tobacco. On the palate, I gave it a 5-hour decant and it needed every minute only just showing up at dinner with a charred Buvette steak. Very fine and layered with perfect balance and great flavors of smoked meats, tobacco and black raspberries. Medium-bodied yet voluminous with excellent cut and depth. The finish is loaded with substantial but ultra-smooth tannins that just glide over the tongue with notes of graphite minerals and endless tobacco leaf. A brilliant young wine that should be spectacular in 10+ years and so expressive already of this wonderful terroir. 94+
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2/19/2021 - Joelene wrote: 96 Points
Upon opening took one sip, closed for business. 5 hours in, this is starting to sing. Wow! A big full bodied wine. With menthol, baking spice and licorice on the nose. Huge expanding palette of baked blueberry pie, vanilla, star anise, tree sap. Masculine but not over done. Very long drying, mouth puckering finish. This is clearly young but so impressive already. I can only imagine what the future holds.... 96 and will surely gain a couple of points in the future.
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2/4/2021 - wineappreciation wrote: 93 Points
Blackberry, cassis, vanilla, leather; full, bold, expansive, very long gradual gravely finish; certainly a little closed but somehow also bursting with fruit nonetheless
After 3 Hours: Similar as earlier, but nose and palate are both more integrated with more perfume on the nose and also with notes of cinnamon, and the palate displaying greater depth yet still, with hints of caramel emerging; similar after six hours as well, though never really adequately opening up; enjoyable now but clearly better to hold for later
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12/13/2020 - Mark1npt Likes this wine: 96 Points
Another beautiful Sunday experiment...seems like friends on here have been enjoying this youngster lately, so had to try one of mine. Manure on the pnp nose, needs 2 hours to fully blow off. Decanted for a total of 6 hours and the final hour during and after dinner was the very best. This has wonderful dark fruit all day long....initially quite a bit tannic, but not more so than any young Cali cab. At about 4 hours the tannins receded a good bit and the last 2 hours are so very balanced with the fruit and acidity. This is pushing the '16 Pontet Canet for top billing in my book. PC just a bit more fragrant upfront. This has beautiful mouth glide to the wine, in fact some of the nicest glide I have felt in a long time. Must be the minerality of the region? So very smooth, such high quality winemaking. Excellent QPR in my book.
Paired extremely well with charred ribeye, rice with mushrooms and peas. Really gained points as the dinner hour progressed. Still sipping the last few drops. If I can make it last another 30-40 min it may be a 97.
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12/13/2020 - jeagle Likes this wine:
Decanted for 2 hours then consumed over the next four. I wish I had waited, kinda. I was itching to try a 2016 Bordeaux and this seemed as accessible as I could experience at this point. However, this bottle was all promise: the fruit tantalizing amidst the fogbank of tannin. Too young for me.
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12/11/2020 - gsomers Likes this wine: 94 Points
Superb! Will be buying more. Drank it over 2+ hours. By the end of the bottle, it was superb. Picked up another 3 bottles which will be cellared for several years. Future looks bright!
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12/9/2020 - Lipsman wrote: 95 Points
This is young, grapey, and so delicious. Reminds me of a young California Cabernet in the 80s: ripe, balanced, explosive flavors, with the right touch of tannins. You owe it to yourself to pop a cork now before it shuts down. Drink 2031 - 2041.
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12/8/2020 - Wine G Likes this wine: 95 Points
95+ this wine is so freaking good. 6 month check in, lol. It is So giving on the nose with deliciousness, big fruit, deep cassis , earthy notes and all kinds of spices and vanilla candle wax. My prior note still applies as well.
Then when you think since it’s a Bordeaux it will be much lighter on the palate, POW this comes through with a sturdy back bone and some fruit mid-palate, flexing its New world influence , in a good way. Solid finish but overall on the palate while robust, still far more balanced than any Napa cab/blend wine in this price point. This wine is just a sexy beast , I love it , it’s one of my favorite in these last few years.
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10/18/2020 - UFGators Likes this wine: 96 Points
This is amazing but has a Long way to go. Dark fruit, leather and tobacco. Fruit ripe enough to drink amidst tannic backbone. Drink with a heavy and rich meal, 2-3 hour decant or best hold.
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8/29/2020 - Sfflyer123 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Wow. Wow. Wow. Although this wine is younger, it is incredibly approachable now. I would argue that this is better than the 100-point 2016 Chateau Pontet Canet, but this may be different in 20 years. However, currently, the Smith-Haut Lafite is drinking much better than the Pontet. Deep purple, blueberry, black current, medium acidity, mild tannins, and great complexity jump out. It is simply a delicious wine.
Revised tasting of another bottle. It was not as good as the first. Probably 94/100 points. It is good, but not as amazing as the first. Not sure why.
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8/3/2020 - SARED Likes this wine: 94 Points
93-94, I round up as I like this one. Give it 5 hour decant at this young age... black cherry, red raspberry, cassis, tobacco, spice, a little musk/animal. On PNP the wine was more savory, black cherry and more prominent musk, after 6 hour decant it had more red berry fruit forward and less savory/animal. Medium weight with nice clean, glossy mouthfeel and precise fresh acidity. Sleek grippy tannin. Medium+ finish. Slight alcohol on the finish, but not as noticeable at cooler temps. If the alcohol was better integrated, this would be 95. 92-93 now, and 93-95 over time, depending on how the alcohol shakes out...... time will tell. I rather like this one. Not as good as the Lynch Bages though.
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5/30/2020 - Wine G Likes this wine: 95 Points
Wow, the wine is gorgeous magenta, slight milky on the pour but just the perfect color with a glow. just nutmeg and butter explosion overlaying the classic Bordeaux aromatics on the nose. This wine is legit.
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12/22/2019 - TXRDW wrote: 94 Points
This was my first SHL ever, and one of the few French wines I’ve tried. I typically stick with the Napa fruit bombs, mainly because of familiarity. Notes of cassis, blackberry, red licorice, herbs and a touch of mint. Very well balanced with a substantially long finish. Decanted half the bottle on day one, slow ox day two. The wine mellowed quite a bit overnight as it initially was a little hot and overpowering. What impressed me the most was how smooth this wine became on day two, very balanced even though the tannins were quite dominating. Much more subtle than the Napa wines I’m used to, which is refreshing.
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12/11/2019 - RoyaltyCoins wrote: 96 Points
Deep ruby
Nose: Black cherry, blackberry pie crust, violet flower, warm cedar and graphite. Elegantly perfumed.
Mouth: Round, full cassis with flashes of cherry cordial and licorice roll through in slow waves, crashing against each other before immediately doing a U-turn and snapping into a midpalate of dark tobacco, black earth, and graphite. Finish lingers endlessly on this note, turning bitter/tarry as it adds a bit of dried herb and very slowly fades. Throughout, muscular tannins linger on the sides, giving an additional brooding feel to the package.
Overall: At the moment this has flashes of elegance, but is still very much in bruiser territory. The layers are immense, the finish refuses to quit. It's a deep black well as it stands, and deserves to be laid down for quite a while to try and mature and let so much of what it offers integrate. Titanic, and has an endless runway ahead of it. Five years minimum, Probably 2045-50 maximum. 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot.
96.
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11/13/2019 - PanosKakaviatos Likes this wine: 95 Points
Ode to France, les Accabailles and the Crus Classés de Grave (Château Carbonnieux): Not as impressive an experience as I had in January this year in Philly, so the wine may be closing down. But the depth and density are undeniable as is the savory, somewhat modern style.
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10/14/2019 - WineBurrowingWombat Likes this wine: 94 Points
Nose: Nice red fruits like fresh, dark red cherries, dark ripe strawberries, cranberries, a slight carbonic nose, slight barnyard funk and/or brett, soft forest floor with undergrowth, a really subtle spice and barely any oak. If this was served blind, I would have guessed Pinot Noir.
Palate: Dark red fruits with integrated deep rich earth, slight oak and a slight spice (or heat, hard call), slight tobacco leaves and finishes with some minerality and something like black tea.
Dark ruby with a slight purpling. Dry with medium amounts of fine, grippy tannins. Medium-plus body with medium amounts of acidity. Good finish of about 14-16 seconds. Good intensity, fresh and seems just a tad wild in terms of juiciness and acidity. But I think that's due to the youth of this wine. Not that I would know but I think at least 7-8 years for the acidity to calm down for this to show well. It's really hard to imagine how this would be later down the line but it should be better integrated. It's good and well made but not my style.
Other details: No decant, time in glass only. Due to cooler weather conditions, pours from the bottle were about 58° but was able to get to to about 63° which was showed better: darker, richer, less sharp in acidity and more dense.
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10/12/2019 - JJYoyo Likes this wine: 94 Points
Still very tightly wound but showing some of the tremendous potential for the future. Inky dark in the glass, with blackberry, anise and charred oak on the nose, plum and blackberry and licorice and espresso on the palate. Monolithic tannins that you can already see resolving beautifully.....in a couple of decades. Edged out a 2016 sassicaia that it was tasted against This could be gorgeous when mature. So take the score as a conservative impression of where it is now. Bury it for at least 20 years.
Score 94+. Relative to expectations: ++
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10/8/2019 - csimm wrote: 94 Points
Much more linear and red-fruited at the moment when directly compared to the more unctuous and concentrated 2015 SHL, this 2016 displays red raspberry, red and black cherry, menthol, sage, and subtle tobacco notes on the front end. A quick shot delivery that fires fairly quickly across the palate, stopping just enough to offer up some rounder versions of fruit flavor on the mid-palate before racing off to the straight-lined finish. Never fully envelops the palate depth-wise, but offers purity and freshness that compels one back for another sip. A few hours of decanting helps a little, but the flavor expansion stays at more of a furrowed brow level.
For me, the 2015 is a rocket launcher when compared to the 2016’s slingshot of an attack. At present, the 2016 is a little geeky and straight-laced. Leave it alone for another 7-10 years minimum. 94++ points with upside after 2030.
If you get fired-up over taking calculus tests and think lab rats are your friends, drink the 2016 now. If you’re someone who actually had a girlfriend in college, stick with the 2015 SHL.
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9/21/2019 - Jeff Leve wrote: 99 Points
The depth of color is serious. On the nose, there is dark red fruits, licorice, smoke, herbs and espresso bean. The wine is clearly intense, and also lifted, which is very hard to do! The oak is better integrated than in previous vintages and the velvet and silky texture on the palate is a complete turn on. Everything is in balance and harmony here. The finish is seamless. This is going to age quite well.
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8/17/2019 - Cincinnatus Likes this wine: 97 Points
Dark red, purple, inky colored. Slow moving, long legs. We savored this wine over 6 hours with medium rare Filet for an accompanying meal. Aromatic, black currant, oak, coffee, maybe a burnt wood smell or wood smoke at times. I keep expecting tobacco and lead pencil in the aroma but neither is emerging. When first opened we both reported a strong alcohol taste. Not hot, but definitely alcoholic. With time, that taste receded and black currant took over as well as a subtle coffee taste and a distinct woody flavor. Not overwhelming woodiness. A smooth, full bodied wine with a long, enjoyable finish. The nose and taste are more complex and interesting after 5 hours. A great wine, very enjoyable today, but clearly very young. We likely won't touch again for a year or two.
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2/25/2019 - Zweder wrote: 94 Points
UCGB tasting Bordeaux 2016 (Beurs van Berlage, Amsterdam.): Red and dark berries, beautiful oak and vanilla. A beautiful balance between a touch of sweetness and acidity and tannin. A seductive wine already.
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2/25/2019 - Xavier Auerbach wrote: 93 Points
Amsterdam UGCB Tasting and Winemakers' Dinner (Beurs van Berlage / Café De Klepel): Smokier and riper than most others, rich and rounded, tannins enveloped in flesh, excellent length. Très charmeur, inviting but not overdone. I quite like it, which is unusual for SHL.
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2/25/2019 - FransS wrote: 97 Points
The 2016 vintage UGCB tasting in Amsterdam 2/25/2019; 2/25/2019-2/27/2019 (Amsterdam): This wine is extremely seductive; what a superb bouquet from flowers to crispy and juicy fruit. This continuous in the midtaste combined with lovely fat.
After that the wine can not completely hold this superb level in the aftertaste, which is very good, but not so intense. Maybe time will fill in the wine completely.
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2/10/2019 - Jeff Leve wrote: 99 Points
This is a strong candidate for the best wine yet produced by the Cathiard family at Smith Haut Lafitte. The inky color lets you know this is going to be packed and stacked with layers of ripe fruit. But there is more going on here than concentration. Dense, yet light on its feet, the fruit displays a level of purity not seen here before. The oak is better integrated and velvet and silky texture is a complete turn on Everything is in balance and harmony here.
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1/28/2019 - alanr wrote: 91 Points
UGC SF - Medium body, bit of tobacco on the nose, has some restrained richness, medium dark red fruit, at first more elegant then turns tannic and a little backward; definitely needs age.
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1/27/2019 - LiteItOnFire Likes this wine: 94 Points
94+. Hold until 2025
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1/26/2019 - La Cave d'Argent Likes this wine: 95 Points
Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux 2016 Vintage Tasting (Las Vegas, NV): Deep-to-opaque ruby, the 2016 Smith Haut Lafitte is nothing short of spectacular. A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, it is packed with Montmorency cherries, dried cranberries, jasmine, licorice, dark chocolate and graphite. Full-bodied, layered on the mid-palate and with good lift, it delivers its flavors wrapped with abundant silky tannins and seamless alcohol. Finishing with impressive length, this is a superb wine with lots of upside potential. Drink 2024-2046.
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1/25/2019 - rjonwine@gmail.com wrote: 91 Points
Dark ruby color; red currant, olive, nutmeg nose; silky textured, cassis, red currant palate with good balancing acidity; medium-plus finish (63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot) 91+ points
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1/25/2019 - Purple Tooth wrote: 96 Points
SHL has been dialed in since 2005 and there is no end in sight. This was once again a seamless wine in the style of SHL with less makeup from the oak (in the style of 2015) Loam and tobacco are hidden under the crunchy fruit and the oak treatment seems to bring just the right amount of polish into the picture to make this another beauty that throbs on the palate or a full minute. Wine making on steroids, but with meticulous precision. I thought this was great, but this was the first time I did not buy this in a while in that I thought it followed the 2015 to a tee, yet it fell just a tad short. I prefer to buy more 2015...If you don't have the 2015, this is a must. Drink or HOLD
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1/24/2019 - macmac007 Likes this wine: 94 Points
A singular wine made by an artist, technical director Fabien Teitgen. The taste is idiosyncratic without ever losing precision. Not for everyone; it rolls around the tongue seeking equilibrium, but then as it warms up and unfurls -- out comes deep cassis, peppercorn, leather, and dark, dark chocolate (is that the 10% Cabernet Franc?). Definitely needs time to bed down all the youthful angular energy, but already fascinating and intellectual. I snagged 6 bottles based on my tasting of the 2015s and wished I got more. Can't wait to uncork this in a decade or so.
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1/23/2019 - Burgundy Al wrote:
UGC Bordeaux (Drake Hotel - Chicago IL): Tasting, brief note. Lots of plum and cherry with outstanding spice. Very finessed and charming with great balance. Best Smith Haut Lafitte I can ever recall. 93-95 point potential.
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1/21/2019 - tomoem Likes this wine: 94 Points
Zachys Grands Crus de Bordeaux 2016 (New York City, NY): A big wine and worthy of aging. Large viscous mouthfeel with flavors of tobacco with a presence of berry and also dark cherry. The best of the Passac-Leognan tonight.
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11/11/2018 - Cailles wrote: 94 Points
Bordeaux 2016: A first glimpse of the 2016 vintage at a UCG/merchant tasting. The aromatic depth and the soft and accessible structure are amazing and clearly ahead of the 2015s which were more on the fruitier, riper side but often less deep and especially on the left bank more austere (despite the hot vintage). 2015 seems a right bank year, while 2016 might turn out to be THE left bank year. I’ve tasted some 15 wines only (not all reviewed) with the Pichon Comtesse (98, best young left bank I’ve had to date) clearly at the top, followed by the Figeac (97, so much depth) and Carmes Haut Brion (96, probably the number one underrated and upcoming winery in Bordeaux). Positive surprises were the Léoville Barton (96, pure precision and coolness) and the Pape Clement (so seductive) with great quality/price ratios. Even I’ve bought a ton of 2016s en Primeur I would buy more after this tasting if it wasn’t for 2018 lining up to be another exceptional vintage.
TN: Very quirky nose full of marijuana and vegetal flavors (which I don’t overly like). With time in the glass that more and more disappeared (but never quite fully). Underneath tons of very candied (but not overripe) red (and some dark) fruit. The most candied sexy fruit of all 2016s that day. Could well become a crowd pleaser. Not sure if every bottle has that quirky nose. I hope not! What’s underneath is very exciting. First sips 88, last sips 96+.
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11/10/2018 - JonnyG Likes this wine: 94 Points
Rich, dark red fruit, fresh and smooth, with lots of promise.
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11/7/2018 - sirpat00 Likes this wine: 97 Points
Arvi Standing Bordeaux 2016 Tasting (Dolder Grand, Zurich): Intense, dark fruit and lots of herbs initially reminding of - brace yourself - cannabis. Great delicate texture, layered complexity on the palate with various shades of berries. Still lots of tannins that will need to integrate. The SHL is an excellent advocate for the 2016 vintage combining intensity, elegance and freshness.
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5/12/2018 - Jeff Leve wrote: 98 Points
This just keeps getting better and better. Intensity, power, concentration, lush, soft, polished tannins and a finish that sticks with your for about 50 seconds, letting you delve into its dark, ripe, smoky fruits, licorice, earth, espresso nose and cashmere tannins. Is this the best vintage of Smith Haut Lafitte? Maybe. Regardless, it is going to give the 2009 and 2010 a run for the money.
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7/5/2017 - Mascarello59 Likes this wine: 96 Points
BBR 2016 Bordeaux tasting (London): Very floral and mineral at the same time. Fresh, clean, all the elements are right in this wine. Just superb and with impeccable balance. So good already! 95-97p
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7/5/2017 - rossi.wine wrote: 96 Points
Really lovely nose - ripe fruit, spicy, brooding, mineral, lots of depth. On the palate rich and glossy, still vibrant and fresh, grippy tannins, very long. Precise and still generous. Very impressive and one of my favourites at this 2016 tasting. 95-96+
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5/28/2017 - wineappellation wrote: 93 Points
2016 En Primeur (tasted 26 May 2017) - Black and blue fruits, sweet spices, pungent and some botanic notes. Medium body, quite long, quite fine.
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4/29/2017 - Jeff Leve wrote: 97 Points
With a good depth of color, the wine is almost opaque with dark purple accents. Espresso, smoke, black fruits, wet earth, licorice, truffle and dark chocolate come right out, when asked. Full bodied, fat and opulent, with serious density, length, character and tannins. The tannins are ripe, but this is going to need time in the cellar, even with all the ripe, supple fruits. - The wine was made from a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, reaching 13.75% alcohol with a Ph of 3.7, the harvest took place from September 22 to October 12 and the Grand Vin represents just 40% of the harvest.
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