Smith Haut Lafitte Vintage:2022 Subtle wood spice notes highlight

Subtle wood spice notes highlight the reserved

It's undoubtedly rich and full-bodied

and they only use French oak barrels

which is not surprising given the fact that the Chave family has more experience than just about anybody in the winemaking world (the domaine was founded in 1481 - nearly a decade before Christopher Columbus discovered America

Deceptively medium in body

Smith Haut Lafitte Vintage:2022 Subtle wood spice notes highlightThe 2014 Smith Haut Lafitte has a much simpler bouquet than the 2014 Pape Clment, with scents of pencil lead and cooked meat infusing the black fruit. The palate is well balanced with slightly firm tannin, moderate levels of acidity that segues to a very peppery and vivacious finish. This is a sophisticated and classy Pessac Lognan, though I wonder if it is starting to close down? Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. Neal Martin