Smith H Lafitte Pessac Leognan Rouge 2017

Category:
 
Red Wines
Sub-Category:  
 
Red Wines
Producer:
 
Smith H Lafitte
Label Name:
 
Pessac Leognan Rouge
Vintage:
 
2017
Country:
 
France
Region:
 
Pessac-Léognan (Graves), Bordeaux
Volume:
 
750ml
ABV:
 
14%
Grape(s):
 
60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot
Acidity:
 
3
Tannins:
 
4
Sweetness:
 
1
Body:
 
4
Length:
 
4
Aroma Intensity:
 
4
Best Temperature:
 
16-18°C

Awards/Ratings
Wine Advocate (Robert Parker) 97+; Vinous (Antonio Galloni) 97; James Suckling 97; Jeb Dunnuck 96; Wine Spectator ~95

Tasting Note
Concentrated blackcurrant and blackberry with cedar, pencil lead, tobacco and violet notes. Medium–full, ripe fruit core, firm grainy tannins, polished oak and a long, mineral-tinged finish.

Food Pairing
Western: roast ribeye, braised short ribs, lamb, duck confit, aged hard cheeses. Asian: Peking duck, char siu (Cantonese BBQ pork), Korean BBQ (bulgogi/grilled short rib), umami-rich Sichuan or soy-glazed beef dishes.

Production Method
Hand-harvested, optical sorting, gravity-fed vinification in small wooden/conical vats with gentle extraction; matured ~16–18 months in French oak (≈60% new).

Vineyard Info
Château Smith Haut Lafitte (Martillac) — Cru Classé de Graves. Owned by Daniel & Florence Cathiard since 1990; ~78 ha estate (≈67 ha red). Organic/bio-precision practices and in-house cooperage.