Château Smith Haut Lafitte 2016, Pessac Léognan

Smith Haut Lafitte is one of the historic estates of Graves, with documented vineyard activity on the property dating back to the 14th century. The modern era began in 1990 when Daniel and Florence Cathiard acquired the château and invested heavily in vineyard restoration, gravity flow cellars, and meticulous parcel selection, helping elevate the estate to the front rank of Pessac Léognan.

The 2016 vintage in Bordeaux produced wines of remarkable balance, combining a long, dry growing season with cool nights that preserved freshness. In Pessac Léognan, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot achieved full ripeness while maintaining the tension and structure that define the appellation’s best wines.

Smith Haut Lafitte is often cited as a benchmark for the modern identity of Graves, where ripe fruit, gravel driven structure, and precise winemaking converge to create wines built for both immediacy and long evolution.