Château Smith Haut Lafitte Collection

A Harmonious Blend of Heritage and Innovation

Located in the heart of the Pessac-Léognan appellation south of Bordeaux, Château Smith Haut Lafitte is one of the region's most dynamic and universally respected Grand Cru Classé estates. The property's history dates back to the 14th century, but its name was forever shaped in 1720 when Scottish wine merchant George Smith purchased the estate. The modern era began in 1990 when former Olympic skiers Florence and Daniel Cathiard acquired the domain, driving a complete renaissance through organic viticulture, precision vinification, and on-site barrel cooperage.

Renowned for producing both exceptional, age-worthy red wines and benchmark dry whites, Smith Haut Lafitte stands as a model for sustainable luxury in fine winemaking.

Gunflint Gravel, Bio-Precision & On-Site Cooperage

Spanning 87 hectares of vineyards planted on a high ridge (Lafitte) of gunflint and quartz-rich gravel over limestone bedrock, the terroir provides exceptional natural drainage and warmth:

• The Red Grape Varieties: Dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon (~60%), blended with Merlot (~30%), Cabernet Franc (~9%), and Petit Verdot (~1%). Deep roots in gravel beds yield wines with signature notes of cassis, dark plum, cedar, and smoky minerality.

• The White Grape Varieties: Planted primarily to Sauvignon Blanc (~90%), with small portions of Semillon (~5%) and Sauvignon Gris (~5%). The stony soil imparts incredible tension, vibrant acidity, and distinctive gunflint minerality.

• Organic & Precision Farming: The estate is fully certified organic, employing biodynamic practices, horse plowing on sensitive plots, optical sorting, and custom barrel aging crafted in its own on-site cooperage.

The World-Class Wine Portfolio

• Château Smith Haut Lafitte Rouge (Grand Vin - Grand Cru Classé): A masterpiece of richness, balance, and aromatic complexity. It reveals enticing layers of dark cassis, black cherry, graphite, subtle smoke, and roasted coffee beans. Silky, structured tannins frame a long, luxurious finish built to cellar gracefully for 20 to 40+ years.

• Château Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc (Grand Vin - Grand Cru Classé): Widely regarded as one of Bordeaux's greatest dry white wines. Intensely aromatic, it offers vibrant notes of pink grapefruit, white peach, lemon curd, acacia flower, and crushed flint minerality, supported by a creamy, barrel-aged texture. Cellars beautifully for 10 to 25+ years.

• Le Petit Haut Lafitte (Second Wine): Sourced from selected plots and younger vines across the estate. Crafted with a higher proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon for the red and Sauvignon Blanc for the white, offering approachable freshness, bright fruit purity, and elegant structure for earlier drinking.

• Les Hauts de Smith: Another delicious secondary line from the estate, designed to be fruit-forward, supple, and charming in its youth.

Epicurean Food Pairings

• Château Smith Haut Lafitte Rouge: Roasted rack of lamb with herbs, grilled ribeye steak, roasted pigeon, braised duck with cherries, or dishes featuring black truffles and wild forest mushrooms.

• Château Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc: Seared sea scallops with lemon-butter sauce, grilled turbot, lobster thermidor, roasted veal chop, or aged goat cheese and Comté.