Château Smith Haut Lafitte

History of Château Smith Haut Lafitte

The history of Château Smith Haut Lafitte dates back to 1365, when Verrier Du Bosq, a Bordeaux nobleman, planted the first vines on this exceptional estate. The estate passed through several owners over the centuries, but it was in the 18th century that its destiny changed radically with the acquisition by George Smith, a Scottish merchant. Smith, in addition to giving the estate his name, built the Chartreuse and began exporting the wines to England, thus contributing to their international renown.

In the mid-19th century, the estate gained in prestige under the direction of Lodi Martin Duffour-Dubergier, mayor of Bordeaux and signatory of the famous classification of 1855. He elevated Château Smith Haut Lafitte to the rank of "Grand Cru exceptionnel", a distinction that marked the beginning of the estate's rise among the great names of Bordeaux.

In the 1950s, the négociant house Louis Eschenauer acquired the château and modernized its facilities, ensuring the distribution of its wines throughout the world. However, it was in 1990 that Florence and Daniel Cathiard, former elite athletes, fell under the spell of the estate and acquired it. Their objective: to perpetuate the tradition of excellence while introducing innovative techniques. After three years of renovation work, they established their residence at the heart of the vineyard and devoted themselves fully to managing the estate, surrounded by a talented team.

Since then, Château Smith Haut Lafitte has established itself as an unmissable reference, not only thanks to the quality of its wines but also through its strong commitment to the environment and biodiversity.

The 2009 red vintage of Château Smith Haut Lafitte received a score of 100/100 from Robert Parker, while the 2010, 2005 and 2016 red vintages, as well as the 2009 and 2005 whites, received 98/100, illustrating the elegance and depth of this Pessac-Léognan cru.

Terroirs and Vines of Château Smith Haut Lafitte

The terroir of Château Smith Haut Lafitte is located at the heart of the Pessac-Léognan appellation, on a naturally drained hillside covered with Günzian Graves — semi-precious pebbles and stones deposited by the Garonne millions of years ago. These graves offer two unique characteristics: exceptional drainage that drives the vine roots deep into the soil, and a "mirror effect" that reflects sunlight to accelerate the ripening of the grapes. This exceptional terroir imparts to the domaine des wines characteristic smoky aromas, which have made the Graves famous.

The vineyard, covering an area of 80 hectares, is divided into two main parts: 67 hectares are dedicated to red grape varieties (60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot), while 13 hectares are reserved for white grape varieties (90% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Sauvignon Gris and 5% Sémillon). The vines, with an average age of 38 years, benefit from meticulous attention with viticultural practices that respect both tradition and innovation.

Committed to sustainable viticulture, Château Smith Haut Lafitte obtained Organic Farming certification in 2019 — Biologique — after three years of conversion. The estate also embraces the principles of biodynamic farming, using medicinal plants such as horsetail and yarrow, grown on site and used to prevent vine diseases. This approach improves the quality of the soil and the grapes, while respecting the environment.

Winemaking at Château Smith Haut Lafitte

Château Smith Haut Lafitte combines traditional techniques with technological innovations to guarantee the optimal quality of its wines. The harvests are carried out by hand, with meticulous sorting of the bunches to select only those that have reached perfect ripeness. The estate has implemented a gravity-fed system, thus avoiding any pumping and preserving the integrity of the grape berries during transfer to the vats.

For the winemaking of the red wines, the process begins with a cold maceration before fermentation of whole bunches in temperature-controlled oak vats. Malolactic fermentation takes place in new barrels, which allows rich and complex aromas to develop. The red wines are then aged on the lees for 16 to 18 months in 60% new French oak barrels, largely produced by the estate's own cooperage.

For the white wines, fermentation takes place in oak barrels and without skin contact, in order to preserve the freshness and finesse of the aromas. Ageing lasts approximately 12 months on fine lees with lees-stirring, in half new oak barrels. This process imparts exceptional complexity and aromatic richness to the white wines.

The Cuvées of Château Smith Haut Lafitte

Château Smith Haut Lafitte offers a range of cuvées that reflect the diversity of its terroir and the quality of its grape varieties. 

Château Smith Haut Lafitte Rouge - Grand Cru Classé de Graves

The fine wine of the estate is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. This red wine is renowned for its elegance, its power and its aromas of ripe fruit, tobacco and cedar. On the palate, it combines structure and finesse, with silky tannins and a persistent finish. It is a wine of great keeping potential, capable of ageing for several decades.

Château Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc

This white wine, crafted primarily from Sauvignon Blanc, is one of the greatest white wines of Bordeaux. It stands out for its freshness, purity and aromatic complexity, with notes of exotic fruits, citrus and a spicy touch. Its palate structure is dense yet crystalline, with a long and vibrant finish.

Les Hauts de Smith Red and White

The second wines of the estate, Les Hauts de Smith in red and white, are sourced from the same plots as the Grands Vins, but with a more accessible and approachable style. The red is fruity, supple and generous, while the white offers notes of citrus and white flowers with a lovely freshness. These wines are perfect for a more relaxed tasting while retaining the hallmark of the Smith Haut Lafitte terroir.

Le Petit Haut Lafitte Red and White

The third wine of the estate, Le Petit Haut Lafitte is more approachable than the fine wine, with a fruitier and more floral style. These cuvées nonetheless retain the signature of the Château with rich aromas and a beautiful structure.

The vintages of Graves and Pessac-Léognan, two appellations of Bordeaux, stand out for their consistent quality. The years 1975, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989 and 1990 are particularly appreciated for their finesse and balance. The vintages 1998, 2000, 2005, 2008, 2009 and 2010 are also remarkable for their structure and ageing potential. More recently, the vintages 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 confirm the continuity of this excellence, with wines offering both elegance and longevity.

Explore the full range of Grands Crus Classés of Graves, an appellation renowned for the diversity and quality of its wines. At the top of the list, the Premier Grand Cru Classé of 1855, Château Haut-Brion of Pessac-Léognan, is a historic reference. For red and white wines, estates such as Château Bouscaut, Château Carbonnieux, Château Malartic-Lagravière, Château Olivier, Château Latour-Martillac and the Domaine de Chevalier offer interesting cuvées. On the red side, you will be able to discover the wines of Château Fieuzal, Château Haut-Bailly, Château Latour Haut-Brion, Château La Mission Haut-Brion, Château Pape-Clément and Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte. White wine lovers can turn to the productions of Château Couhins, Château Couhins Lurton and Château Laville Haut-Brion. These estates offer you a wide range of wines to discover at the heart of the Graves region.

Château Smith Haut Lafitte embodies the excellence of the Grands Crus of Bordeaux. Thanks to rigorous vineyard management, precision winemaking and a commitment to the environment, the wines produced here are both faithful to tradition and resolutely modern. Whether you are a lover of red or white wines, every cuvée of Château Smith Haut Lafitte is a true invitation to discover the very best of the Bordeaux terroir.