Château Smith Haut Lafitte, Pessac-Léognan, Cru Classé de Graves, Bordeaux, France 2013

Deep colour, slightly smoky cassis nose, nice density of fruit but 2013 greenness is there.

Starting with a slight primitive touch, the bouquet of the 2013 has notes of black cherry, blackcurrant and not-overly-ripe black fruit on aeration with an imposing oakiness and a hint of phenols. The palate has a Burgundian feel to it, juicy and savoury, with strong black cherry flavours and a perfectly balanced and very fruity texture. The finish is a little tighter than the mid-palate and remains long, with a distinct eucalyptus character and a relatively large tannic and woody mass. However, in the context of the vintage, this is a fine bottle.

The blackcurrant-scented nose is subdued and quite oaky, while the palate is rich and succulent. The tannins are ripe and chocolatey, and the wine has unusual vigour and energy. It's robust but not too extracted and there are no rough edges. Structured and long, this still has ageing potential. Tasted from magnum.