Pessac-Léognan · France
2023 Château Smith Haut Lafitte Les Hauts de Smith
Smith Haut Lafitte's red second wine enters its window in 2026, dark and fruit-forward, built for fifteen years of structured but approachable drinking.
- Varietal
- Bordeaux Blend
- Region
- Pessac-Léognan
- Vintage
- 2023
Drinking Window
In 2026: Approaching PeakDrinkable, but best years are ahead. Peak begins 2029.
Right now: In 2026 the 2023 Les Hauts de Smith red sits exactly at window_open, with peak coming 2029 through 2038. Right now this is a young second wine showing dark purple color, dense primary fruit, and firm tannin structure that has not yet relaxed. The Cathiard team designs Les Hauts to drink earlier than the grand vin, but 2026 is still on the tight side; the wine rewards either a 90-minute decant now or another three to seven years in bottle. By 2029 the dark cherry and cassis aromatics fold into more graphite and tobacco notes, the tannins polish out, and the saline mineral edge that defines top Pessac-Léognan reds emerges. The wine remains in confident peak through 2038 with slow decline thereafter. See [Bordeaux peers](/wines/region/bordeaux) and the [Bordeaux Blend hub](/wines/varietal/bordeaux-blend) for sibling cuvees including the same-vintage [Le Petit Haut Lafitte Red](/wines/chateau-smith-haut-lafitte/le-petit-haut-lafitte-red/2023).
About Château Smith Haut Lafitte
Château Smith Haut Lafitte is run by Daniel and Florence Cathiard, who purchased the Pessac-Léognan estate in 1990 and rebuilt it into one of the most consistent Cru Classé Graves properties. Winemaking is directed by Fabien Teitgen with a strong biodynamic and integrated-vineyard ethos: cover crops, hand harvest, gravity-fed cellar work, and long maceration with gentle extraction. Les Hauts de Smith is the second wine, drawing on younger vines and parcels selected for earlier-drinking style. The blend is Cabernet Sauvignon-led with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and a small percentage of Petit Verdot, aged in a mix of new and used French oak for around 14 months. The result is a structured but accessible Pessac-Léognan red that drinks ten years earlier than the grand vin.
Food Pairings
Grilled ribeye with bordelaise sauce and roasted shallots
The wine''s firm tannins and ripe black fruit handle the fat and char of ribeye while bordelaise''s reduction-based depth mirrors the saline mineral edge.
Roast duck with cherry-port reduction
Les Hauts'' dark cherry and cassis aromatics track the fruit-driven reduction while the wine''s saline edge and herbal mid-palate balance the duck''s richness and the smoky undertone complements the rendered fat.
Aged Manchego with quince paste and Marcona almonds
The wine''s pronounced tannins find a structural counterpoint in long-aged Manchego, the quince fruit echoes the dark berry profile, and the polished tannin texture handles Marcona almond richness.
Service & Cellaring
- Serving Temp
- 60-64F (16-18C)
- Decanting
- Decant 90 minutes in 2026 (early window) to soften the firm tannins and open the dark-fruit aromatics. From 2029 (peak start) onward, a 45-60 minute decant is sufficient. At full peak from 2032, decant briefly or splash-pour.
- Cellar Storage
- 55F (13C), 65-75% humidity, bottle on its side, no vibration.
Frequently Asked
When should I drink Les Hauts de Smith 2023?
The drinking window opens in 2026 and peak runs 2029 to 2038. In 2026 the wine is at window-open but still tight on tannin and primary fruit. The most informative bottles arrive between 2029 and 2034 when the dark fruit folds into graphite and tobacco and the saline minerality emerges fully.
Do I need to decant this wine?
Yes, especially in 2026-2029. Decant 90 minutes in the early-window phase to soften the pronounced tannins and let the dark-fruit aromatics breathe. From 2029 onward (peak), 45-60 minutes is right. At full peak from 2032, decant briefly or splash-pour - the saline mid-palate develops within minutes.
What food pairs with Les Hauts de Smith?
The wine handles classic red-meat preparations: grilled ribeye with bordelaise, roast duck with cherry-port, lamb with rosemary and garlic, and aged hard cheeses like Manchego or Comté. Avoid delicate fish or vegetable-led dishes - the firm tannins overwhelm them.
How does this compare to the grand vin Smith Haut Lafitte?
Les Hauts is the second wine: younger vines, less new oak, and a shorter peak window (peak 2029-2038 vs 15-20 years for the grand vin). It drinks ten years earlier than the grand vin with a similar Cabernet-led signature but less density. The grand vin builds deeper graphite, cedar, and pencil-lead complexity; Les Hauts prizes immediate fruit and polished tannin.
How should I cellar this bottle?
Store the bottle on its side at 55F (13C), 65-75% humidity, with minimal vibration. The cork needs to stay wet to seal the 15-year aging window. A passive cellar or wine fridge both work; a warm closet does not.
Track this bottle
Track this Château Les Hauts de Smith in Cellared.
See its drinking window, peak years, and what to pair it with alongside the rest of your cellar. Free to start on iOS.
Download on the App Store