CHÂTEAU SMITH HAUT LAFITTE

The finest wine ever made by proprietors Daniel and Florence Cathiard, the 2009 Smith-Haut-Lafitte exhibits an opaque blue/purple color in addition to a glorious nose of acacia flowers, licorice, charcoal, blueberries, black raspberries, lead pencil shavings and incense. This massive, extraordinarily rich, unctuously textured wine may be the most concentrated effort produced to date, although the 2000, 2005 and 2010 are nearly as prodigious. A gorgeous expression of Pessac-Leognan with sweet tannin, emerging charm and delicacy, and considerable power, depth, richness and authority, it should age effortlessly for 30-40+ years. Bravo! Drinking range: 2012 - 2052 Rating: 100 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, www.RobertParker.com (Feb 2011)

Deep ruby-purple. Aromas of smoky plum, blackberry syrup, cinnamon and canele (a Bordeaux specialty made from a caramelized batter containing rum and vanilla) are very ripe but not exaggerated, and nicely lifted by floral and mineral topnotes. Very fresh in the mouth, with almost delicate but very deep flavors of dark berries, cedar and minerals. Finishes long and pure, with noticeable saline and grapey nuances. This highly successful wine manages a tricky balancing act between superripeness and just the right amount of freshness; in fact, this seems almost understated to me even though it boasts a extremely high IPT of 100 and possesses outstanding depth and substance. It also relies much less on oak for weight and structure than a couple of recent vintages, and therein lies a good measure of its success. Should be one of the red wine stars of '09. Rating: 92-95 Ian d'Agata, www.vinousmedia.com (May 2010)

Picked between 25th September and 17th October, 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot cropped at 32 hl/ha, this has a very sleek, well defined bouquet, very pure with dark berried fruits, just a hint of coca and dark chocolate powder. Very focused, very linear at the moment but developing a lovely saline/estuarine character towards the finish. The palate is full-bodied with very silky tannins, harmonious, sensuous, very good weight and acidity, layers of ripe black, coca-tinged fruit with a sense of nonchalance and self-assured swagger towards the finish. Very pure, very long on the finish, leaving the mouth tingling with pleasure. This is a very assured Smith Haut Lafitte. Rating: 94-96 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Apr 2010)

A very dark and creamy wine with a bright cherry red-pink hue at the rim. The nose suggests lovely fruit concentration, very delineated and fresh, but plainly also rich and ripe. Dark in character, although with good floral tones. Lots of lovely substance on the palate, presented in a firm and bold style, with extracted tannins which dominate the palate. It has a good sense of balance though, with a layer of sweet but crunchy dark fruits alongside, and good acids too. An impressive wine full of character with really good potential. Rating: 17.5-18.5+ Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2010)

Dense red, fine rich and wonderfully succulent and briary wild fruits nose, rich, robust vineyard fruit with internal spice, energy and depth. Drink 2016-30. Rating: ****18 www.decanter.com (Apr 2010)

Clean. Blackberry and lightly toasted oak with coffee and cedar. Full-bodied and a very, very powerful structure. Blockbuster. Massive and dense, yet remains agile. A triumph for this estate. Rating: 95-98 James Suckling, The Wine Spectator (Mar 2010)