Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte
Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte
Pessac-Leognan
2022
Vintage
Varietal
Bordeaux Blend
ABV
13.5%
Where it is, June 2026
Too Young: holding.
In 2026, the 2022 Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte has not yet entered its drinking window, which opens in 2027, placing this wine in a pre-window hold phase for the immediate term. At four years from harvest, the wine reflects the exceptional ripeness and concentration of the 2022 Bordeaux vintage: the primary Cabernet Sauvignon-driven fruit is intense and dense, with black pepper spice, eucalyptus, and cassis layering over a tannic structure of considerable grip. The 2022 vintage in Pessac-Leognan was described by Wine Spectator as a new paradigm for Bordeaux - very warm and dry from the start with high consistency through harvest - and Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte shows this vintage character clearly: power, dark fruit density, and a mineral finish that signals genuine depth. One year of additional cellaring before opening is the minimum recommendation in 2026, with the optimal window running from 2030 through 2038 for those who can wait. The wine's tannin level and acid backbone indicate it will integrate into a genuinely expressive Pessac-Leognan with time.
The ‘22 Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte.
A Cabernet-driven 2022 Pessac-Leognan from Smith Haut Lafitte - powerful and structured, still pre-window in 2026 with peak complexity from 2030 through 2038.
Drinking window
Tasting note
Dark ruby in the glass with near-opaque density and a black pepper and eucalyptus nose that immediately announces its Cabernet-dominant Pessac-Leognan origin. The aromatics are powerful and concentrated: mint, wild berries, cassis, and liquorice layer over a core of dark plum and tobacco, with a ribbon of orange zest adding unexpected brightness against the wine's density. With air, the oak integration becomes more apparent - toasted in a restrained way that frames rather than dominates - alongside smoked spice and mineral notes. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied with ripe tannins carrying genuine grip and structured authority. The power comes from the fruit rather than from hard tannin, which is a positive sign for medium-term aging. Acidity is present and clean, providing the backbone for the 2030 to 2038 peak window. The finish brings nougat, mineral, and a slow fade of dark fruit and integrated oak through a long and satisfying close.
The 2022 vintage
The 2022 growing season in Pessac-Leognan and across the Bordeaux Left Bank was unusually warm and dry from the very beginning of the season through to harvest, with just the necessary rains in June and August preventing maturity blockage. Wine Spectator awarded the 2022 Left Bank a Classic 95 points and described it as a new paradigm for Bordeaux - more consistent and less affected by the heterogeneity that complicated 2018, 2019, and 2020. All major varietals performed well, with Cabernet Sauvignon in particular achieving exceptional ripeness while maintaining the aromatic freshness and pure, clean fruit aromas that distinguish a truly great Bordeaux growing season from a merely warm one. For Pessac-Leognan, 2022 is a benchmark vintage with excellent aging potential.
About Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte
Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte is the second red wine of Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte, produced under the direction of winemaker Fabien Teitgen from younger vines and declassified grand vin lots. The 2022 expression is Cabernet Sauvignon-driven, reflecting both the house style and the vintage's exceptional Cabernet ripeness in Pessac-Leognan. Vinification follows the gravity-flow, low-intervention approach of the estate, with moderate new oak in the 30 to 40 percent range to preserve the fruit's primary intensity. The 2022 vintage in Pessac produced a more structured expression of the second wine than lighter years like 2023, resulting in a wine with genuine cellaring potential through the late 2030s.
From the cellar: pair with
Grilled Ribeye with Chimichurri
Full body (8/10) and firm tannin (8/10) in this 2022 Pessac-Leognan call for the fat and protein of aged beef, with the herb-forward chimichurri echoing the eucalyptus and mint secondary notes.
Lamb Shank Braised with Herbs
Dense, ripe tannin at 8/10 is softened by the collagen in braised lamb shank, while the wine's cassis and dark plum fruit complement the rich braising sauce.
Roquefort or Aged Mimolette
The wine's substantial acidity (7/10) and fruit density create balance with salty, high-fat cheeses that would overwhelm lighter wines.
Service & cellaring
- Serving Temp
- 62-65F (17-18C)
- Decanting
- Pre-window in 2026 - hold until 2027 or later. If opening in 2026, decant two to three hours to soften the tannic grip. From 2027 onward, 45 to 60 minutes of aeration is recommended.
- Cellar Storage
- 55F (13C), 65-70% humidity, on its side.
The drinking window on this bottle is calculated with the Cellared Ageability Index (CAI) v1.0, a 10-factor model. Try the free drinking window calculator on any wine, or read when to drink wine for the practical signals.
More from Pessac-Leognan, France
Frequently Asked
When is the 2022 Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte ready to drink?
The drinking window opens in 2027 and runs through 2044, with peak maturity between 2030 and 2038. In 2026, the wine is still pre-window and should be held at least one more year. Those who open a bottle in 2026 will find impressive raw material but firm tannin that benefits from at least two hours of decanting.
How does the 2022 vintage affect the wine's aging timeline?
The 2022 Bordeaux vintage was unusually warm and dry across the Left Bank, producing wines of exceptional ripeness and concentration. For Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte, this means a slightly later opening window (2027 rather than 2025 or 2026 for lighter vintages) but also a longer and more rewarding peak window extending to 2038. The wine has more structure and density than the 2023 vintage expression.
What food should I serve with the 2022 Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte?
Grilled or roasted red meats are the best match for this full-bodied, tannin-rich 2022 Pessac-Leognan. Ribeye with chimichurri, braised lamb shank, or duck confit all work well. The wine is too structured for delicate fish or light poultry in its current state. Aged, high-fat cheeses like Roquefort or Mimolette can also hold their own against the wine's density and acidity.
Is this the same wine as Le Petit Haut Lafitte?
No. Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte and Le Petit Haut Lafitte are two different wines from two different properties. Le Petit Haut Lafitte is the second wine of Chateau Haut Bailly. Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte is the second wine of Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte. Both are Pessac-Leognan second wines, but from distinct estates with different winemaking teams and vineyard sources.