Smith-Haut-Lafitte Pessac-Léognan 2016

100 points Yohan Castaing (Decanter): "Pure perfection in a glass, the 2016 offers notes of cherry, liquorice, smoke, graphite, plum and eucalyptus. It is fresh and racy. This is a perfectly balanced wine, full of energy and freshness, juicy and fleshy on the palate, with a classic tannic frame and a long yet persistent finish. Drink it over the coming two or three decades. Bravo! Drinking Window: 2025-2040. (Jun 2021)"

99 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (The Wine Independent): "The 2016 Smith Haut Lafitte has a deep garnet color. It bursts onto the scene with dramatic notes of crème de cassis, blueberry compote, and chocolate-covered cherries, plus suggestions of star anise, lavender, and fallen leaves, with a touch of iron ore. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is an exercise in elegance and sophistication, framed by exquisitely ripe, plush tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long and with an achingly beautiful perfume. Alcohol 14%. Drink: 2025-2060. (12/8/22)"

98 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Wine Advocate): "Composed of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot and matured in 60% new oak for 18 months, the 2016 Smith Haut Lafitte has a very deep garnet-purple color, opening with sensuous scents of warm black cherries, blackberry pie, star anise and fragrant lilacs with hints of chocolate box, cigar box and pencil lead plus wafts of truffles and crushed rocks. Medium to full-bodied, rich and seductive, it completely fills the palate with perfumed black berry preserves and superbly plush tannins, finishing epically long and beautifully layered. Drink: 2023-2046. (Nov 2018)"

98 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2016 Smith Haut Lafitte is flat out stunning. Rich, ample and explosive, the 2016 possesses tremendous energy and tension to play off the wine's dark, rich fruit. I am not sure I have ever tasted a young Smith Haut Lafitte with such extraordinary balance. In 2016, the Grand Vin is tense and pulsing with energy. Hints of lavender, spice, menthol and crème de cassis open up in the glass, but the 2016 stands out for its feel and exceptional harmony. The combined effects of picking a bit early, vinifiying more gently and reducing the impact of oak are having a profound effect at Smith Haut Lafitte. Thinking of some of the highly regarded wines of the last decade here, the 2009 and 2010 in particular, well, the 2016 is on another level. This is magnificent showing from proprietors Florence and Daniel Cathiard, and their team led by Technical Director Fabien Teitgen. Drink: 2024-2046. (Jan 2019)"

97 points Wine Spectator: "Quite ripe, with lush waves of cassis, cherry preserve and raspberry puree flavors gliding through in no hurry, but maintaining definition and cut along the way as bramble, tar and melted licorice snap notes slowly emerge throughout. The finish features an intense echo of pastis and sweet tobacco, showing serious latent grip. Best from 2023 through 2038."

97 points Neal Martin (Vinous): "The 2016 Smith Haut Lafitte has a more discreet bouquet than I expected, and it takes a couple of minutes to open in the glass, revealing blackberry, briar, a touch of pressed iris and a wet limestone aroma. There is less tobacco than I expected, and a stonier style. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannin, perhaps the finest I’ve encountered in 20 years of visiting this estate. Very feminine and beautifully structured, and the 60% new oak is seamlessly assimilated. Extremely impressive and beguiling. This will be an irresistible Smith Haut Lafitte that gives 30 to 40 years of drinking pleasure. Drink: 2026-2066. (Jan 2019)"

97 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Moving to the reds, the 2016 Château Smith Haut Lafitte checks in as 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot that spent 18 months in 60% new oak. It’s undeniably a more elegant, reserved style from this estate, yet it still offers full-bodied richness and depth, with a classic perfume of cassis, black currants, cold fireplace, wood smoke, and tobacco. Deep, nicely concentrated, seamless, and, again, incredibly elegant, it’s going to flesh out nicely with short-term cellaring and keep for 20-30 years. Drink: 2022-2052. (2/28/19)"

97 points James Suckling: "The blackcurrant and blueberry aromas are lifted and beautiful. Lots of flowers, too, together with some mushroom and dried-flower undertones. Full-bodied with firm and very silky tannins giving a lovely texture. Bright acidity lifts the finish and gives it drive and force. Better after 2025. (1/22/19)"

97 points Chris Kissack (Winedoctor): "At five years of age this opens with a nose which remains dominated by high-quality oak, just as it was on my last encounter with this three years ago. The aromatics are all sandalwood, cedar and pencil shavings, beneath which there is a layer of wild hedgerow fruits. The palate is nicely polished, with a greater presence of fruit here, a beautifully dense and seamless substance within which there is a dark core of blackberry and wild fruits. It feels finely polished, well integrated, with great grip from the tannins beneath it all. An impressive composition altogether, long, finely grained and focused. This needs to be left well alone for another five years at least, but the potential here is undeniable. Excellent. The declared alcohol is 14%. (Oct 2021)"

97 points/'Cellar Selection,' Wine Enthusiast: "This hugely dense wine is complex and full of juicy, succulent, smoky Cabernet Sauvignon. The tannins are at the service of the fruits. The wine still has a long way to go before maturity. Don't think about drinking it before 2025. Alcohol 14%. (Mar 2020)"

96 points Peter Moser (Falstaff): "Deep, dark ruby with an opaque core, discreet brightening on the rim. Delicately floral on the nose with underlying black forest berry and fine wood savouriness, an attractive bouquet. Complex, juicy, round and fruity on the palate with ripe black cherries, noticeable supporting tannins and a chocolatey finish. (5/24/17)"