Smith-Haut-Lafitte Pessac-Léognan 2005

99 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (The Wine Independent): "The 2005 Smith Haut Lafitte rouge is a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot. Medium to deep garnet-brick in color, it slips confidently out of the glass with notes of creme de cassis, baked plums, cracked black pepper, and pencil shavings, plus wafts of sandalwood and licorice. The medium to full-bodied palate is plush and juicy, featuring soft acidity and a long, beautifully poised finish. In a sweet spot for drinking now, this can cellar a further 20 years+. Alcohol 13.5%. Drink: 2022-2042. (7/20/22)"

98 points Robert Parker: "This sensational, opaque blue/purple-colored wine from Smith Haut Lafitte has a gorgeous floral nose with notes of graphite, blueberries, blackberries, and cassis that jump from the glass of this inky, very dense, yet strikingly pure wine. Light on its feet despite its stunning concentration and multi-layered mouthfeel, this wine has fabulous intensity, richness and length. Quite impressive, and still incredibly youthful, this is a superstar of the vintage, and capable of lasting another 25-30 years. (Jun 2015)"

98 points Jeb Dunnuck: "The 2005s from Bordeaux continue to show youthfully, yet spectacularly well! The 2005 Smith-Haut-Lafitte is a prime example of the vintage and offers a huge, rich, concentrated style as well as classic dark fruits, tobacco, scorched earth and graphite aromas and flavors. While this is a tannic vintage, the tannins here are sweet and polished and covered by fruit. With stunning purity of fruit, notable freshness, and a great, great finish, drink this beauty anytime over the coming two decades. Drink: 2018-2038. (2/15/18)"

96 points Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux): "(64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot). A wine that I have been lucky enough to drink several times recently, and it's tasting superb right now. Generous and welcoming, with grilled red peppers, rosemary, toasted sandalwood, cedar, liqourice, espresso, well textured tannins, sage and turmeric spice that freshens the finish and keeps you wanting more. Excellent quality from technical director Fabien Teitgen and owners Florence and Daniel Cathiard. Drink: 2022-2046. Alcohol 13.5%. (6/24/22)"

95 points Jane Anson (Decanter): "...this Smith Haut Lafitte stood out for its grace, and its generosity of spirit. A blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, the tannins were sweet, softened but still confident, rich with autumnal fruits, just the right dash of chocolate and liquorice without straying over the line. A wonderful bottle shared with some of my dearest friends, is there anything better? (12/29/16)"

95 points James Suckling: "An impressive nose of spices, dark fruits, and fresh forest flowers. Full-bodied, this has a solid core of fruit and super polished tannins. A fabulous wine, showing great structure and harmony, and a long, long finish. Beautiful stuff. Pull the cork in 2015. (3/15/11)"

94 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): " The 2005 Smith Haut Lafitte packs a serious punch. A blast of wild cherry, smoke, leather, tobacco and mint hits the palate as this powerhouse Pessac-Léognan shows off its personality. Black cherry, mocha, rose petal, spice and chocolate all saturate the palate. This is an especially lush, potent wine shaped by density, concentration and plenty of oak. I would prefer to drink the 2005 sooner rather than later, as it is starting to fray just a bit. Tasted two times. Drink: 2021-2033. (Apr 2021)"

94 points Wine & Spirits: "The Cathiards have invested heavily in this property since they purchased it in the early 1990s. It is one of the great terroirs of the Graves, a raised plateau of gravel where the vines produce a rich and powerful wine. That power is amplified in a vintage like 2005 into a huge, cassis-driven red with the velvet feel of a favorite childhood pillow. The Cathiards do not spare the new oak, a character that dominates this young wine, while the fruit underneath feels healthy and clean, vibrating with tension, set for a long life ahead. (Oct 2008)"

93 points Wine Spectator: "Very grapey, with black licorice and mineral character. Full-bodied, with hints of new wood and spices. Big and velvety. This is balanced and very silky, with harmonious yet chewy tannins. This is a different style from the 2003, but it's equally impressive. A wonderful young wine. Best after 2013. (3/31/08)"

93 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "Good fresh red-ruby color. Reticent but pure aromas of plum, mocha and tobacco. This began sweet and dense but a bit sullen, then exploded with aeration to show sharply delineated flavors of plum, tobacco, hot stones and smoked meat. Wonderfully fat and full wine that spreads out on the back to saturate the entire palate. This makes the '07 seem peppery and high-pitched in comparison. Very long on the aftertaste. I asked technical director Teitgen to name his favorite recent vintages in Pessac-Leognan, and he listed 1998, 2001 and 2005. (May 2008)"

93 points Bettane & Desseauve's Guide to the Wines of France: "This has a refined texture for the vintage, well-defined fruit, harmonious tannins, and great balance between strength and finesse. The end of barrel aging brought out some notes of chocolate from this extremely sunny vintage. Drink: 2011 up to 2025. (2011)"