Another 10-Year Deal!

Dear Friend,

Here’s another one of our 10-year deals, and this time it’s something pretty special!

We’re going back to the extraordinary 2016 Bordeaux vintage with a wine that has earned a perfect 100 points from Decanter, two 98-point scores, and four 97s. Better yet, these bottles are coming directly from the château, giving you the kind of provenance that becomes increasingly important as great Bordeaux approaches its tenth birthday.

The wine is the 2016 Château Smith Haut Lafitte, one of the finest efforts ever produced at this remarkable Pessac-Léognan estate, and we’re offering it at a price that beats a number of our competitors by a considerable margin.

I’ve been following Smith Haut Lafitte for decades, and what Florence and Daniel Cathiard have accomplished here is nothing short of remarkable. Along with technical director Fabien Teitgen, they’ve transformed the estate into one of the most exciting properties in Bordeaux, consistently producing wines that compete with the finest classified growths.

And the 2016 may be their crowning achievement!

The 2016 vintage was exceptional in Pessac-Léognan, producing wines with beautiful concentration, freshness, and structure. Smith Haut Lafitte took full advantage, crafting a wine that combines the richness and depth of a great vintage with the elegance, precision, and smoky minerality that make the finest wines of Graves so compelling.

The blend is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot, aged for 18 months in 60% new French oak.

Antonio Galloni of Vinous was particularly impressed, suggesting that the 2016 surpasses even the estate’s legendary 2009 and 2010 vintages. Considering the reputation of those wines, that’s quite a statement!

“The 2009 and 2010 in particular, well, the 2016 is on another level.”

Antonio Galloni · Vinous · 98 Points

100

Points

Decanter says

“Pure perfection in a glass, the 2016 offers notes of cherry, liquorice, smoke, graphite, plum and eucalyptus. It is fresh and racy. This is a perfectly balanced wine, full of energy and freshness, juicy and fleshy on the palate, with a classic tannic frame and a long yet persistent finish. Drink it over the coming two or three decades. Bravo!”

Our Tasting Note

We tasted the 2016 Smith Haut Lafitte back in the Spring and it is everything you could want from a great Pessac-Léognan. Beautifully expressive aromas of blackcurrant, dark cherry, crushed blackberry, graphite, tobacco, and smoky earth are joined by hints of violets, cedar, and exotic spice. The palate is rich and layered, yet remarkably fresh, with polished tannins, vibrant acidity, and a gorgeous mineral backbone. There’s tremendous depth here, but nothing feels heavy or overdone. The finish is long, elegant, and beautifully balanced, with lingering notes of cassis, licorice, and classic Graves smoke. A truly exceptional Bordeaux approaching its tenth birthday, with decades of life still ahead.

The Bottom Line

This is exactly why I love putting together these 10-year offers!

Think about what we’re getting here. A magnificent 2016 Bordeaux from one of the finest estates in Pessac-Léognan, a perfect 100-point score from Decanter, three 98s, four 97s, and, perhaps most importantly, ex-château provenance.

When you’re buying a wine that’s ten years old, knowing where those bottles have been is a big deal. These have come directly from the estate, rather than passing through multiple hands over the years.

And then there’s the price!

At just $159.98, we’re comfortably below several competing retail offers in the $170 to $195 range. For a wine of this pedigree, from a vintage as celebrated as 2016, that’s a terrific opportunity.

Smith Haut Lafitte has been producing some of Bordeaux’s most exciting wines for years, and the 2016 stands among its greatest achievements. It’s a wine that should continue to develop beautifully over the next two decades and beyond.

Another great 10-year deal, a perfect 100-point Bordeaux, direct from the château, in OWC 6-packs and just $159.98 per bottle!

Don’t miss this one! ETA WINTER 2027

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