Viniou Reviews
Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte 2021 from Château Smith Haut Lafitte is a distinguished red blend from Pessac-Léognan, in the Graves subregion of Bordeaux. This cuvée is second wine to the prestigious grand vin, made from a classic Bordeaux blend predominantly featuring Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with smaller proportions of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The 2021 vintage was shaped by a relatively cool and challenging year, bringing freshness and finesse rather than opulence, with careful vineyard management ensuring that grapes reached optimum ripeness. Vinification at Smith Haut Lafitte is meticulous; the wine is typically aged in French oak barrels—some new—to add structure and aromatic complexity, while retaining the vibrant fruit character emblematic of the estate.
Pessac-Léognan, at the northern end of Graves, is famed for lean gravel soils overlaying deep clay, which provide excellent drainage and force the vine roots deep into the subsoil. The region benefits from a mild Atlantic climate, with both rainfall and sunshine moderated by the nearby Landes forest and cooling breezes. Pessac-Léognan has a storied history, being one of the first areas in Bordeaux to achieve international renown, and is today celebrated for reds marrying elegance with a discreet smoky note—often termed “grilled” or “graphite”—typical of its unique terroir.
This vintage will pair beautifully with grilled lamb chops, duck breast with a shallot and red wine sauce, or classic French bistro dishes such as entrecôte bordelaise. The wine’s youthful energy and elegant structure also compliment hearty regional fare like confit de canard or mushroom risotto, echoing the earthy aromas present in the glass.
For optimal enjoyment, serve at 16-18°C after a brief decanting to allow the wine to breathe and reveal its aromatic complexity. The Petit Smith Haut Lafitte 2021 can be enjoyed in its youth for its vibrant fruit, but will also gain in complexity with a few years of cellaring.
