Smith Haut Lafitte Vintage:2008 A 50-50 blend of Merlot

A 50-50 blend of Merlot and Sangiovese

There is outstanding richness to the big-bodied and overtly powerful flavors that possess a suave mouth feel before culminating in a firm and persistent if slightly leafy finish

on a lingering candied violet note

I thought long and hard about this

it delivers a good core of black fruit on the palate

Smith Haut Lafitte Vintage:2008 A 50-50 blend of MerlotThe 2014 Smith Haut Lafitte has a much simpler bouquet than the 2014 Pape Clment, with scents of pencil lead and cooked meat infusing the black fruit. The palate is well balanced with slightly firm tannin, moderate levels of acidity that segues to a very peppery and vivacious finish. This is a sophisticated and classy Pessac Lognan, though I wonder if it is starting to close down? Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. Neal Martin