Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte Pessac Leognan Rouge 2013 750ml

Starting with a slight primitive touch, the bouquet of the 2013 has notes of black cherry, blackcurrant and not-overly-ripe black fruit on aeration with an imposing oakiness and a hint of phenols. The palate has a Burgundian feel to it, juicy and savoury, with strong black cherry flavours and a perfectly balanced and very fruity texture. The finish is a little tighter than the mid-palate and remains long, with a distinct eucalyptus character and a relatively large tannic and woody mass. However, in the context of the vintage, this is a fine bottle. Drinking Window 2022 – 2030.

• Country: France
• Region: Bordeaux
• Appellation: Graves
• Sub Appellation: Pessac Leognan
• Size: 750ml
• Color: Red

Varietal

Red Bordeaux

There are few regions in the world with stricter regulations in regards to wine production and grape varietals than those found in Bordeaux, France. Here, in the home of the world’s finest wines, the type and quality of grapes used is of utmost importance, and the legendary wineries which work on the banks of the Gironde river have mastered the careful art of juice blending to find the perfect balance for their produce. Whilst there are six ‘official’ Bordeaux grapes, the two key varietals for almost every fine Bordeaux wine are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and with good reason. Whilst Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are renowned for their acidity and astringency, strong fruit and spice flavors and full body, Merlot grapes are notably rounded, soft, fleshy and lighter on tannin. The combination of these two varietals, along with a small percentage of (commonly) Petit Verdot or Cabernet Franc, is the perfect balancing act ”“ the two grape varietals cancel out each others weaker points, and accentuate all that is good about the other.