WTN: 2001 Château Smith Haut Lafitte

[David M. Bueker]

2001 Château Smith Haut Lafitte - France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan (5/19/2007)
Chocolatey on the nose, but without going over the top. Dark black fruit, richness but also energy. This is ripe but also focused, and while its not showing much beyond primary right now, there's plenty of material there for development. The balance is very good, without any obvious heat or harsh woody notes. I like this, but it needs time to develop

One of my favorites over the last couple of years, David. Even as young as it is. There is just something about Bordeaux, overpriced as it may be.

[David M. Bueker]

This was not at all overpriced. It was well worth the $35 I paid for it on release.

[Jenise]

There is just something about Bordeaux, overpriced as it may be.

Overpriced? When there's almost no cab left in California under $50? FWIW, I've been paying about the same or less for the 2001's than I paid for the 85's and 86's in my cellar all those years ago.

[David M. Bueker]

If we take inflation into account, 2001 and 2002 (and many 2004) Bordeaux are just plain cheap. Sure they have gone up more than the rate of inflation, but unless we're talking about the "top" wines (e..g. first growth, first growth equivalents and super seconds) the wines have stayed pretty reasonable in any but the trophy years.

Of course all this maybe changing in 2006, but we don't know yet.

Oops. Bad choice of words on my part (I'm still remembering the other thread about $58 Bordeaux being outrageously overpriced) It is not a $10.99 everyday wine was what I was thinking.

Nope. I feel SHL is very fairly priced. I certainly enjoyted it more than the brambly, sweet Mount Veeder Reserve cab I tried today at twice the price! (They have a great Zinfandel, though. I LIKE Mount Veeder district Zinfandels-and it was $25!)