The ‘23 Le Petit Haut Lafitte.

The second red wine of Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte in a fresh-styled 2023 vintage - window does not open until 2027 but the architecture rewards patience.

Tasting note

Deep ruby-purple in the glass with a vivid, bright rim that signals a recently released wine. The nose is precise and Cabernet Sauvignon-forward: blackcurrant and dark tobacco lead, followed by violet-tinged black fruit, cedar shavings, and a ribbon of licorice that bridges the fruit and the structural backbone. With air, smoke and dark wild berries emerge alongside faint graphite and a saline mineral note that distinguishes Pessac-Leognan from other Left Bank appellations. On the palate, the wine is medium-to-full-bodied with silky fine-grained tannins that carry texture without excessive grip - a hallmark of the 2023 vintage's more approachable construction. Acidity is clean and precise, keeping the midpalate bright and forward. The finish brings the dark fruit back with a savory, juicy quality that trails through dried herbs and a whisper of integrated oak. This is a well-crafted second wine from one of the appellation's most dynamic producers, with a freshness profile that rewards drinking in the medium term and offers genuine pleasure from 2027 onward.

The 2023 vintage

The 2023 growing season in Pessac-Leognan was characterized by a mild winter encouraging early budbreak and abundant flowering, followed by heavy spring and early summer rainfall that created significant mildew pressure across the appellation. Two heat waves in mid-August and early September provided critical desiccation that lifted aromatic profiles and helped balance the high yields created by the wet spring. Wine Spectator awarded the 2023 Left Bank an Outstanding 90 points, characterizing the vintage as the opposite of the opulent 2022 in style, producing light, fresh, charming wines. Successful producers who managed mildew pressure and thinned crops made wines with genuine charm and earlier-drinking accessibility. For a second wine like Le Petit Haut Lafitte, the 2023 freshness profile is an advantage in the near-to-medium term.

About Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte

Le Petit Haut Lafitte is the second red wine of Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte, a Pessac-Leognan estate owned since 1990 by Daniel and Florence Cathiard and producing wines under the direction of winemaker Fabien Teitgen. The second wine program draws from younger vines and declassified lots from the grand vin selection, offering the property's signature precision at an earlier-drinking stage. Vinification follows the same gravity-flow, low-intervention philosophy as the grand vin - whole-berry sorting, gentle extraction, and a lower percentage of new oak around 30 to 40 percent - to preserve the fruit's freshness and prevent oak from dominating in a lighter-framed vintage. The result is a Pessac-Leognan with the house's characteristic Cabernet-led structure in a more accessible format.

From the cellar: pair with

Roasted Duck Breast with Cherry Reduction

The wine's firm tannin (6/10) and medium-full body match duck's natural fat content, while the violet-tinged dark fruit mirrors the cherry reduction without overwhelming it.

Herb-Crusted Rack of Lamb

Cabernet Sauvignon structure at firm tannin 6/10 is a classic match for lamb richness, and the wine's saline mineral note echoes earthy roasted vegetables served alongside.

Mushroom Risotto with Truffle Oil

The wine's precise acidity (6/10) and smoky cedar-driven secondary notes create a vegetarian pairing that achieves the umami resonance of a meat course without competing with it.

Service & cellaring

Serving Temp: 62-64F (17-18C)
Decanting: In 2026 this wine is pre-window; if opening now, decant at least two hours. From 2027 onward, 30 to 45 minutes of aeration is sufficient as the wine enters its intended drinking window and opens more readily.
Cellar Storage: 55F (13C), 65-70% humidity, on its side.

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Frequently Asked

When is the 2023 Le Petit Haut Lafitte ready to drink?

The canonical CAI full drinking arc is 2027-2046. Within that arc, the peak window is 2030-2040. The full arc is the broader period the wine may drink well; the peak window is when it is most likely to show its best balance. Storage, fill level, cork condition, and preference can shift the decision. Taste before adding more air or holding the rest.

Is 2023 Le Petit Haut Lafitte worth buying now?

Yes, for collectors with three to seven years of patience. The wine delivers the Smith Haut Lafitte house style - Cabernet-led precision, saline Pessac-Leognan minerality, gravity-flow vinification - at a fraction of the grand vin price. The 2023 freshness profile makes it a good choice for the 2027 to 2035 drinking window, accessible earlier than denser structured vintages.

How does the 2023 compare to the 2022 Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte?

The 2022 is denser, more structured, and built for longer cellaring, with a window opening in 2027 and peak through 2038. The 2023 is fresher and more aromatic in the house's lighter-framed vintage style, with a window also opening in 2027 but approaching its peak a touch earlier. For near-term drinking from 2027 to 2033, the 2023 is the more accessible choice. For a decade-plus cellar position, the 2022.

What food pairs best with Le Petit Haut Lafitte?

Roasted duck breast, rack of lamb with herbs, or herb-crusted chicken all match well with the wine's Cabernet structure and medium-full body. The 2023 vintage's freshness also makes it a good match for dishes with earthy or mushroom elements - risotto with truffle, roasted root vegetables, or grilled portobello. Avoid very rich, heavily sauced preparations that would overwhelm the vintage's inherent freshness.