Madrid, Spain
4/5-1-2011
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| Good Smart Good |
Hi everyone and welcome to my first official material from the New Year. I know by now it is much after the 1st of January, but I have been busy trying to get you caught up on all of the great wines of Bordeaux while on my holiday vacation. Well, New Years Eve was spent in a spectacular fashion, Puerta del Sol in downtown Madrid. Think of it on the level of a Times Square in New York City, but Spanish. The night was eventful to say the least, and to be honest it took a couple of days to be back into full form. Maybe next year I ring in 2012 with a good bottle of wine and a great meal with people close to me, but it’s much too early to speculate. The topic for this article may of course seem a bit contradicting, and I will clear up the confusion quite simply. I had purchased a bottle of Bordeaux during my time there, and brought it to Madrid as a gift offering for allowing my stay. Well when all was calm again and back to a more normal tone, we decided to drink some wine!
Wines in large format bottles are always a great foundation for a good time. I have a saying that I picked up over the years that if you can’t have fun tasting wines then there must be something wrong with you. Of course I also believe that the people around you can make, or break, a tasting’s enjoyment and have experienced this first hand from both spectrums. But in general a Magnum, the name alone carries weight, or larger sized wine bottle comes with certain connotations. And that is just what we had….
Les Hauts des Smith Pessac Leognan Rouge 1997
50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc
French oak (Some New), Duration 14 Months
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| Size does Matter |
Les Hauts des Smith is the 2nd label of Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte. As explained before concerning the chateau, see the separate article on my visit to the chateau, the 2nd label of this house is comprised of grapes from the younger vines that are planted in the vineyards as well as any wines in barrel that have been declassified from the Grand Vin. Also this wine does have a certain small percentage of Vin de Presse (the wine that is pressed off the skins after the free run juice is drained) added to strengthen the wine. The vintage of 1997 is interesting because in many of the most famous regions around the world, Napa Valley as well as Barolo and Brunello di Montalcino for example, is regarded as one of the best in many years. Overall for Italy it is probably the best vintage of the decade. But in Bordeaux this is not the case. The year began well with a warm period, but rains in May delayed the finishing of the flowering of the vine. There was less rain towards the end of the season which helped, but the flowering problem caused for uneven ripening for the harvest. Still though good wines were made with only a shortening of the cellar life of many wines being affected.
The wine has a subtle brightness and is clear, with a light ruby color with a medium concentration. There is definite rim variation formed, with both a solid water line formed and the color fading out at the edge. The tears have a faint staining effect to them and are moderately viscous.
There is a moderate intensity to the nose of this wine, still showing dark black fruits against wonderfully developed earth notes to contrast. As the wine was breathing the fruits turned a bit dry, with some red currant tones as well. There were green cigar leaf and coffee grounds notes, as well as some flinty mineral tones.
The wine was clean on the palate and still showing quite well, but in its peak stage. The fruits were still persistent, turning towards the dried red currants again as well as some dark cherry skins. In the mid palate there were the same green leaf and cool dark earth flavors, and the finish was a playful balance of both the fruits and the leaves. The wine was balanced between medium tannins and acids, with a firm lengthy finish still. I recommend you drink up!
Salute!
http://www.smith-haut-lafitte.com/
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| He's Back! |
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