Wines Pessac-Léognan Smith Haut Lafitte - 1975

Viniou Reviews

Château Smith Haut Lafitte 1975 is a distinguished red wine hailing from the renowned Pessac-Léognan appellation within the Graves subregion of Bordeaux, France. The blend typically centres on Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and occasionally a touch of Petit Verdot. In the 1975 vintage, the wine reflects the season’s typical characteristics: a structured palate, evident tannic backbone, and a deep, mature complexity due to decades of cellaring. The terroir plays a significant role: gravelly soils enrich the vines, fostering elegant structure and minerality, while long, traditional vinification and ageing in French oak barrels have built the wine's profound aromatic bouquet and graceful evolution.

The Graves region, and particularly Pessac-Léognan, is famed for its exceptional terroir where the gravelly soils promote optimal drainage and heat retention, critical for ripening Bordeaux’s noble varietals. The region enjoys a temperate, oceanic climate, moderated by the nearby Atlantic which brings humidity and encourages morning mists, beneficial for the grapes and influential in the wine’s complex development. Historically, the châteaux of Pessac-Léognan, such as Château Smith Haut Lafitte, trace their origins to the 14th and 18th centuries, with a legacy of meticulous winemaking that affirms the region's place among Bordeaux’s elite.

To complement a mature Château Smith Haut Lafitte, consider pairing with refined, classic French cuisine. The wine’s structure and tertiary notes of leather, tobacco, and dried fruit marry exquisitely with roasted lamb shoulder, duck breast with wild mushrooms, or aged entrecôte with a Bordelaise sauce. For a truly regional experience, try it alongside canard aux cèpes or a gratin dauphinois.

For optimal enjoyment, decant gently to separate sediment and allow the wine to breathe for about an hour. Serve at 17-18°C to reveal its full bouquet and aged complexity, savouring each glass in good company.