Château Smith Haut Lafitte Red 2024

Grapes ripe, very aromatic, very fruity Grapes of normal size Sugar levels lower than previous vintages Good extractability Very delicate approach to extractions: more infusion and maceration than extraction Some punching down and a lot of calm Maceration temperature around 28°C Seeking to structure by infusion to extract only the ripe tannins and avoid hollowing out the mid-palate Vatting time of 3 to 4 weeks

Maturing / Ageing : 18 months

The nose is highly expressive, with notes of fresh red fruits such as raspberry, cherry, and black cherry, interwoven with vibrant hints of mint, blond tobacco leaf, and sweet spices. These highly aromatic grapes echo the flavors we tasted in our vineyards back in September. The attack on the palate is well-balanced, offering a beautiful sensation of freshness, but also a refined texture and a soft, delicate mouthfeel. The palate reveals a remarkable harmony of texture and flavor, with good substance, superb volume, and great length, all supported by a bright freshness. I love this soft and delicate texture combined with freshness, which gives it an impressive energy, perfectly counterbalanced by its smoothness. The aromatic profile, both on the palate and in the finish, highlights fresh red fruits along with notes of blackcurrant, complemented by a broad spectrum of spices and fresh herbs such as blond tobacco, clove, and sage. This Smith Haut Lafitte Rouge 2024 displays outstanding overall harmony, with great energy and an exquisite texture, while expressing a beautifully fresh and complex aromatic profile, characteristic of our gravel soils.