Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte

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Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte Wines

Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte is one of Bordeaux's oldest operating estates, dating back to the 14th century in the coveted Pessac-Leognan appellation. It was not until 1990, however, when Daniel and Florence Cathiard acquired the chateau, that Smith Haut Lafitte rose to prominence. Today, the chateau is best known for its white and red flagship wines— Smith Haut Lafitte White and Smith Haut Lafitte Red— alongside its 5-star hotel, luxury spa, and two fine dining restaurants.

The History Behind Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte

Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte was founded in the 14th century when Verrier du Bosq signed deeds for vines on a Lafitte, or hill, and added the property to the du Bosq holdings. After nearly three centuries, the Scottish wine merchant, George Smith, purchased the land and named the chateau after himself, formally cementing the modern history of Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte. And, in 1842, he sold the chateau to Lodi Martin Duffour-Dubergier, then-Bordeaux mayor and signer of the 1855 Bordeaux Classification. While the Mayor did not classify the chateau, it was granted Grand Cru Exceptionnel status and one hundred years later, became a Grand Cru Classe estate in the Graves Classification of 1959.

Unfortunately, the beginning of the 20th century saw Smith Haut Lafitte greatly struggle, as the chateau was acquired by the negociant firm, Eschenauer. The firm paid little attention to the chateau, which produced mediocre wines, eventually gaining a reputation for being located on a poor terroir and often overlooked.

Smith Haut Lafitte's modern history begins with the 1990 purchase from Daniel and Florence Cathiard. The pair owned multiple thriving businesses— advertising agencies, grocery outlets, and sports chains were just a few of their successes— and were in the market for a new venture, a winery. They travelled up and down Bordeaux in search of the perfect site, when one day, their broker led them to Smith Haut Lafitte. The chateau featured old equipment, unkempt vines, and a grotty cellar. While many would have turned down the purchase, the Cathiards saw it as an opportunity to renovate a historic chateau and jumped at the opportunity.

In order to restore Smith Haut Lafitte to Bordeaux excellence, the Cathiards hired consultants Michel Rolland and Stephane Derenoncourt, promising vineyard manager Fabien Teitgen, and replanted 30 hectares of the vineyard. After years of promise, the chateau began producing highly rated red and white wines and even formed an auspicious alliance, known as Le Cinq. Daniel Cathiard, Alfred Tesseron, Stephan von Neipperg, Nicolas Baillencourt, and Patrick Maroteaux joined forces to hold wine tastings in key markets and run ad campaigns together.

The Cathiards furthered their off-site efforts by opening a 5-star hotel, Les Sources de Caudalie, featuring a luxury spa and a Michelin-star restaurant.

Smith Haut Lafitte, Pessac-Leognan Vineyard and Terroir

Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte owns 80 hectares in the prestigious Pessac-Leognan appellation, with 67 hectares belonging to red varietals and the remaining 13 hectares planted with white varietals. The splits between each varietal are as follows:

60% Cabernet Sauvignon
30% Merlot
9% Cabernet Franc
1% Petit Verdot
90% Sauvignon Blanc
5% Sauvignon Gris
5% Semillon

All vines are planted on a single block of Gunz gravel, a quartz-rich gravel made from river stones deposited from the Garonne River millions of years ago. Furthermore, the soil has excellent drainage, forcing the vines to struggle and sink deep for water. Above the surface, the vines reflect the sun's rays, creating optimally ripened fruit.

When fully ripened, the fruit is hand-harvested on a plot-by-plot basis, then sorted on vibrating tables in the cellar. Next, it is transferred to a precision optical sorting machine, placed into truncated cone-shaped oak vats, and aged in French oak for 12-18 months.