At a glance

Producer

Château Smith Haut Lafitte

Region

Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, France

Grape variety

Red Bordeaux Blend (mostly Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, with some Petit Verdot)

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Smooth

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$30-50 USD

Tasting profile

Black cherry, plum, graphite, subtle oak, smoke. Medium+ body, ripe fruit, fresh acidity. Finely structured tannins.

Evolution: From dark fruit and primary freshness towards truffle, cedar, dried herbs and earth with time.

At peak: Balanced harmony of primary fruit and emerging tertiary notes (cedar, tobacco, earthy depth) with smoothed tannins.

Structure

Acidity

Medium+

Tannins

Medium to firm, polished

Alcohol

13.5% ABV (approximate)

Aging potential

5-12 years from vintage

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2025 to 2042

Optimal window

2022 to 2045

Current status

Ready to drink

Current condition

Structured and youthful with integrated tannins, starting to show tertiary complexity

2017 marked a fresh, classic vintage in Bordeaux with good structure and moderate ripeness. Les Hauts de Smith is an approachable second wine style meant for earlier drinking, but 5-10 years cellaring brings optimum balance of fruit, structure and evolving complexity.

Food pairing

Roast duck, grilled lamb, mushroom risotto, hard cheeses, or seared steak with herbs.

Serving

Serving temperature

16-18°C / 61-64°F

Decant

Yes (30-60 minutes) — Opens up aromatic complexity and softens young tannins for fuller expression.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 8/10

Significant biodiversity initiatives, use of organic (not synthetic) treatments, gravity-flow winemaking, renewable energy use (on-site biomass plant), wastewater recycling, lightweight glass bottles, on-site composting.

Château Smith Haut Lafitte, producer of Les Hauts de Smith, is recognized for strong environmental stewardship: certified organic since 2019, leading biodiversity and lunar cycle work, solar/biomass energy, and circular economies for water and compost. The estate’s carbon emissions are significantly offset by their forestation and renewable energy, while lightweight bottles and close resource loops further reduce impact. However, carbon footprint may increase with air or long-distance shipping, which is common for Bordeaux, but overall the estate ranks among Bordeaux’s greenest. Les Hauts de Smith is not Demeter-biodynamic certified but is made from organic vines and produced in a highly sustainable context.