“Everything comes from the soil” Château Smith Haut Lafitte
Château Smith Haut Lafitte’s long and illustrious history goes back to 1365 and the planting of vines on the Lafitte plateau and its famed gravel - the Graves Gunziennes. In 1953 it was classified as a Grand Cru Classé in the Graves classification. However, the Château’s modern history dates to the purchase of the estate by Daniel and Florence Cathiard in 1990. Since then, the family’s investment, innovation and hard work have taken the estate to a new level, resulting in the Château becoming not just one of the most popular Pessac-Léognans, but one of the most sought after wines in Bordeaux. In particular, their commitment to sustainable practices is epitomised by their adoption of organic viticulture, CO2 recycling in the cellars and maintaining their own on-site cooperage. Such efforts received international recognition recently when Smith-Haut-Lafitte was the only Château visited during King Charles’s tour of Bordeaux.
In 2014, the Cathiard family purchased an interest in the Pomerol-based Château Beauregard, whose history dates back to the 11th century and the Order of the Knights of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem, from which Beauregard’s emblematic Knights Templar cross originates.
For this event, the Château has curated for the Society what is sure to be a tasting of the highest calibre, with wines shipped direct from the Château’s cellars. We will taste a selection of white and red wines, which will include the outstanding vintages from 2010, 2015 and 2020 – allowing us a unique insight into the evolution of the Grand Vin produced in years that experienced very similar growing conditions. The Committee is delighted to welcome Ludovic Fradin, highly-respected Deputy General Manager of the Château, to present this tasting – accompanied by long-standing friend of the Society, Richard Bampfield MW.
Petit Haut Lafitte 2021 (blanc)
Château Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc 2022
ChâteauSmith Haut Lafitte 2010
Château Smith Haut Lafitte 2015
Petit Haut Lafitte 2016 (rouge
Château Beauregard 2016
Château Smith Haut Lafitte 2017
Château Smith Haut Lafitte 2020
Tickets represent extraordinary value for a tasting of wines from this important Château with member tickets at £100 and guest tickets at £120. If you are using the Society's website to purchase tickets for the first time, you are encouraged to register so as to make future ticket purchases even easier. The Society operates a free seating policy at tastings so if you are coming as a group, please arrive early to ensure seats together.
If you have any questions, please contact the organiser, Will Robertson on will.robertson@realestate.bnpparibas or Duncan Holden on duncanandliz@btinternet.com