WTN: 1997 Smith-Haut-Lafitte

1997 Smith-Haut-Lafitte (Pessac-Leognan)
I wasn't sure what to expect of this bottle from a somewhat "lesser" vintage when we popped a cork down at the shoppe. I don't drink a lot of Bordeaux and buy even less. However, I must admit this wine just seemed to hit all the right notes yesterday. Cassis, black fruit, tobacco and a certain minerality danced with grace, elegance and finesse across the palate. Not a wine to garner a lot of points from the critics, but who cares. If you have any of these in your cellar, I suggest you try one soon..it is drinking very well and while it is in no danger of an imminent demise, I also don't see this as an "ager". ~$40

Curly

Disclaimer: I sell this wine to people.

[Jenise]

Curly--are you using the Three Stooges rating system, or do you have a new nickname?

Never had this wine, but it sounds like it's outperforming the vintage. Many of these 97's plateaued and started fading some time ago.

Bill,

I have been meaning to try some recent vintage of this, as I have seen a number of very positive notes. I see in Parker's Bordeaux book that the Chateau was sold in 1991 to Daniel and Florence Cathiard, and apparently the new owners have really raised the quality of the wine! But prices haven't caught up yet? ...Paul

Curly--are you using the Three Stooges rating system, or do you have a new nickname?

Jenise,
Not exactly new. It sort of goes back to another wine board where myslef and a couple of friends posted quite a bit. One guy's real name was Larry and the other had the handle of "Moe" so it only seemed natural that I somehow was designated Curly. FWIW, Geot. who posts here later assumed the role of Shemp.
Redwinger

Bill,

I have been meaning to try some recent vintage of this, as I have seen a number of very positive notes. I see in Parker's Bordeaux book that the Chateau was sold in 1991 to Daniel and Florence Cathiard, and apparently the new owners have really raised the quality of the wine! But prices haven't caught up yet? ...Paul

Paul,
I think we have the 1996 and 2002 vintages of this someplace in the shop, so I'll try to get these into the store tasting queue soon.
Thanks for the background information.
Bill