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History of Château Smith Haut Lafitte
Located in the heart of the Pessac-Léognan appellation, just 20 minutes from central Bordeaux, Château Smith Haut Lafitte dates back to 1365 and is one of the oldest estates in the region. Its name comes from George Smith, who owned the property in the 18th century.
Classified as a Grand Cru Classé de Graves since 1959, the château is now one of the leading names in Pessac-Léognan. Its 2009 vintage received a perfect 100/100 score from wine critic Robert Parker, confirming the estate’s outstanding reputation.
The vineyard covers 78 hectares, mainly planted with red grape varieties. The estate produces wines known for their elegance, aromatic complexity and excellent ageing potential. Today, under the ownership of Daniel and Florence Cathiard, Château Smith Haut Lafitte is also recognised for its strong environmental approach, including organic practices, solar energy, water recycling and composting.
Wine tour in the Graves region
Bordeaux wine and spa weekend
2 days / 1 night from €585 pp
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Visit of Château Smith Haut Lafitte
A visit to Château Smith Haut Lafitte offers an immersive introduction to one of the great classified growths of Graves, set within a 78-hectare vineyard.
During the tour, you will discover the estate, its winemaking philosophy and the key stages involved in producing its wines. Depending on the experience chosen, you may explore the cellars, learn about the work of the cellar master, or enjoy a guided tasting of the château’s wines. -
The Château’s Wines
The wines of Château Smith Haut Lafitte reflect the deep gravel soils of the Graves region. Grapes are harvested entirely by hand at perfect ripeness, allowing the wines to express their full aromatic character.
The red Smith Haut Lafitte combines classic Bordeaux elegance with notes of red fruit, spices and subtle smoky aromas. Although the château is especially renowned for its red wines, its white wines are also highly regarded for their freshness, balance and expressive character.
Today, the château produces six wines: Château Smith Haut Lafitte Red and White, as well as two second wines, Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte and Les Hauts de Smith, each produced in both red and white.