Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Smith Haut Lafitte charges out of the gate with bold expressions of warm redcurrants, baked blackberries and crème de cassis with hints of spice cake, dried roses, underbrush and pencil lead plus a waft of candied violets. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a fantastic core of densely packed red and black fruits, framed by wonderfully ripe, rounded tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and perfumed.

James Suckling

Wonderful depth of fruit here with blackberries, wet earth, mushrooms, dark chocolate and violets. Full-bodied, tight and poised with polished and compressed tannins. Consistent finish. Linear and focused. A blend of 60% cabernet sauvignon, 35% merlot, 4% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot. Drinkable now, but better in 2022.

VertdeVin

The nose is elegant, racy and offers a beautiful gourmandize and richness (but full of finesse / beautiful finesse). It reveals notes of blackberry, ripe strawberry and small notes of cherry associated with fine touches of violet / blueberry as well as hints of sweet spices, graphic, toasted and discreet hints of blond tobacco. The palate is fruity, well-balanced, racy, precise and offers juiciness, tension, straightness, an acidulous frame, fat, complexity, gourmandize, a beautiful definition as well as richness (but full of finesse). On the palate this wine expresses notes of fleshy blackberry, fleshy raspberry and small notes of black cherry associated with fine touches of strawberry, licorice, chocolate as well as discreet hints of star anise, flint, vanilla and caramelization. Tannins are elegant, structuring and well-built. There is a very discreet saline hint in the background / on the finish. Beautiful length and persistence. Fine creaminess on the finish. There is a very discreet hint of hazelnut on the persistence / aftertaste.

Wine Enthusiast

La Revue du Vin de France

The Wine Independent

Jane Anson - Inside Bordeaux

Bettane et Desseauve

Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider

Round, deep, full-bodied, lush and with good intensity of flavor, the wine has richness and length. All of this is a good thing, so you can catch all of the smoke, tobacco, dark cocoa and black with red fruits. The finish delivers length and persistence, coupled with the ability to age.

Vinum Wine Magazine