WTN: Lafitte not Lafite

by **David M. Bueker** » Mon May 25, 2020 8:13 pm

2001 Château Smith Haut Lafitte - France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan (5/25/2020)
Initially popped and poured, and there was not much there. It was objectively thin. It perked up a bit with dinner (homemade burgers), but was still mostLy nondescript. Towards the end of the meal it started to find its stride. The fruit deepened, earthy and spicy tones emerged, and the oak (which has always been more than necessary) finally faded into the background. Two hours in, and a full bodied, balanced, complex Bordeaux finally emerged. Hints of tobacco and cedar joined the fruit and spice. Still with more than sufficient fruit for further aging, and ample structure to support it. A wine that has been up and down, moving from ultra-modern to more classic and back depending on the day, is currently in the somewhat modern, but still recognizably Bordeaux state.