Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte 2012

Robert Parker The Wine Advocate: 95

James Suckling: 95

Decanter: 94

和其他葡萄酒行業前輩不同的是，我們並沒有很多、應該說是僅有極少Bordeaux 的酒款，原因無他，作為新經營的小店，我們沒有這些酒的儲備，新年份又需時才適飲，此外，受眾減少，Bordeaux 酒的市場不斷萎縮，酒價不斷下跌，實在不應該趟這潭渾水。

但Bordeaux 混釀又真有其好喝之處，各莊各有風格，明顯的年份差異也甚具玩趣，於是若是價格合適，我們也會盡量入貨，讓大家能以優惠價錢品嚐這些佳作。

是次帶來的是Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte 2012，此莊品質一向不俗，是平衡柔美的風格，且價格相宜。2012年雖然不是絕佳年份，但Cabernet Sauvignon 不差，Merlot 更是不俗，作為名莊，Smith Haut Lafitte 的葡萄田風土優勢及管理手法彌補了不少年份缺陷，令酒液成品表現仍然卓越。

這年，高達40%的Merlot 含量令Smith Haut Lafitte 比其他左岸莊更具優勢。在這些年的瓶中熟成後，泥土、松露、煙燻、煙草的風味尤為豐富，果香當然非常絲柔美味，像是黑加侖子、黑莓、黑車厘子。口感相當集中，單寧經沉淀後顯得細膩，酸度緊致，結構良好，層次分明。是一款優美、經典、飽滿、馥郁的作品。

Unlike many other predecessors in the wine industry, we carry very few Bordeaux wines, mainly due to our status as a new small shop without the reserves for these wines, which often require aging before optimal enjoyment. Additionally, with a shrinking Bordeaux market and prices on the decline, it's not a path we should venture into.

However, Bordeaux blends do have their merits—the diversity in styles and noticeable vintage variations make them intriguing. So, when the price is right, we do try to stock up on these wines to offer them at discounted rates for everyone to enjoy.

Today, we present the Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte 2012, known for its consistently good quality, offering a balanced and gentle style at an affordable price. While 2012 wasn't an outstanding vintage, the Cabernet Sauvignon shines, and the Merlot is impressive. Being a prestigious estate, Smith Haut Lafitte's terroir advantages and management techniques compensate for any shortcomings of the vintage, resulting in an excellent final product.

With a high 40% Merlot content in this vintage, Smith Haut Lafitte stands out among other Left Bank estates. After years of aging in the bottle, the flavors of earth, truffle, smoke, and tobacco are rich, complemented by silky fruitiness like blackcurrant, blackberry, and black cherry. The wine is concentrated on the palate, with refined tannins, tight acidity, excellent structure, and clear layers, presenting a beautiful, classic, full-bodied, and aromatic masterpiece.

• Volume: 750ml
• 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, & 1% Petit Verdot
• ABV: 13.5%
• From: Pessac-Leognan, France
• Red Wine – Savory and Classic
• Pairs well with Beef and Venison