One thing I've learned from modern SHL is that its usually not exiting when young. But it ages gorgeously, and on this occasion, I had some dear friends over for dinner and pulled this out of the cellar, decanted for 3 hours.
This is now a profoundly beautiful wine, almost a liqueur with a thick and gorgeous underlying glycern/tannin mouth coating underbody upholding aloft a nearly weightless but intensely fragrant and dense fruit body that proves not only immense pleasurable but is thought provoking in its depth and complexity. This expresses a season, the earth and place where it came from, why we love wine. Parker was right about these 2009s.
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Pulled a 2009 Smith Haut Lafitte from the cellar. This was purchased as a real bargain on futures along with Pontet Canet and Leoville Poyferre, all of which received 100 points from RP. I look for Smith Haut Lafitte in any good vintage, a great wine fairly priced. Now, I recently tasted one of my 2009 Pontet Canet, which is one of the most beautiful wines I've ever had, so I think it may influence my experience with the SHL. Also, I have really enjoyed the 2018s over the last year, including the 2018 SHL, which are similar to the 2009s in some respects with their big unctuous character.
This is a profound wine that merits your full attention and contemplation. I decanted 3 hours straight from the cellar so it slowly warmed as it opened up.
The color is deep plum purple but slight brick and amber is noticeable under light, and the material of the wine rests in an almost liqueur-like body, giving it great structure.
The rather fruit dominated intense nose is very inviting and is worth lingering on.
The flavor profile is very long, pure and harmonious with no harsh or dissonant notes. The pure sweet plum is very defined and dominant, this is not as complex or kaleidoscopic as the 2018s, and also lacks the profoundly endearing notes of the Pontet Canet. Nevertheless, this hangs on for a wonderful long time and each second is worthy of savoring. It is very rich and full without being heavy, and is refined and delicate as well as powerful.
This does seem primary in many ways and perhaps more complexity will arrive in time. I would wait at least several years before trying again.
In some ways I admire SHL more than I love it, but it definitely delivers quality and makes for a great evening of wine enjoyment.
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Janasse is a great producer and in good vintages like 2016 the regular bottling is a good buy. This is a really delicious CDP and fun to drink. Now with 6 years of aging, it has filled out nicely and is deep, sweet and has you coming back for another sip. While it lacks the complexity and depth of the Chaupin or VV bottling, this will provide of a stellar evening of wine enjoyment and wont leave you wanting more. I think of this as more when you just want something delicious and dont need or want to get something that requires a lot of contemplation.
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2009 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
4/7/2023 - Pianojim wrote: 100 Points
One thing I've learned from modern SHL is that its usually not exiting when young. But it ages gorgeously, and on this occasion, I had some dear friends over for dinner and pulled this out of the cellar, decanted for 3 hours.
This is now a profoundly beautiful wine, almost a liqueur with a thick and gorgeous underlying glycern/tannin mouth coating underbody upholding aloft a nearly weightless but intensely fragrant and dense fruit body that proves not only immense pleasurable but is thought provoking in its depth and complexity. This expresses a season, the earth and place where it came from, why we love wine. Parker was right about these 2009s.
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2009 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
4/8/2022 - Pianojim Likes this wine: 98 Points
Pulled a 2009 Smith Haut Lafitte from the cellar. This was purchased as a real bargain on futures along with Pontet Canet and Leoville Poyferre, all of which received 100 points from RP. I look for Smith Haut Lafitte in any good vintage, a great wine fairly priced. Now, I recently tasted one of my 2009 Pontet Canet, which is one of the most beautiful wines I've ever had, so I think it may influence my experience with the SHL. Also, I have really enjoyed the 2018s over the last year, including the 2018 SHL, which are similar to the 2009s in some respects with their big unctuous character.
This is a profound wine that merits your full attention and contemplation. I decanted 3 hours straight from the cellar so it slowly warmed as it opened up.
The color is deep plum purple but slight brick and amber is noticeable under light, and the material of the wine rests in an almost liqueur-like body, giving it great structure.
The rather fruit dominated intense nose is very inviting and is worth lingering on.
The flavor profile is very long, pure and harmonious with no harsh or dissonant notes. The pure sweet plum is very defined and dominant, this is not as complex or kaleidoscopic as the 2018s, and also lacks the profoundly endearing notes of the Pontet Canet. Nevertheless, this hangs on for a wonderful long time and each second is worthy of savoring. It is very rich and full without being heavy, and is refined and delicate as well as powerful.
This does seem primary in many ways and perhaps more complexity will arrive in time. I would wait at least several years before trying again.
In some ways I admire SHL more than I love it, but it definitely delivers quality and makes for a great evening of wine enjoyment.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2016 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape
3/12/2022 - Pianojim wrote: 94 Points
Janasse is a great producer and in good vintages like 2016 the regular bottling is a good buy. This is a really delicious CDP and fun to drink. Now with 6 years of aging, it has filled out nicely and is deep, sweet and has you coming back for another sip. While it lacks the complexity and depth of the Chaupin or VV bottling, this will provide of a stellar evening of wine enjoyment and wont leave you wanting more. I think of this as more when you just want something delicious and dont need or want to get something that requires a lot of contemplation.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment