Château Smith Haut Lafitte Rouge Pessac-Léognan

Pessac-Léognan, France

The modern face of Pessac-Léognan excellence — Cabernet Sauvignon dominated blend from deep Graves gravel, aged with precise new oak. Blackcurrant, cedar, graphite, mineral gravel, dark chocolate, and the structured elegance of great Pessac-Léognan. Requires 10-15 years to reveal its full complexity; an alternative to Médoc classified growths at slightly more accessible prices.

Pairing intelligence

• main: The Left Bank's finest lamb and Pessac-Léognan's finest Cabernet — the wine's graphite and blackcurrant character bridges the lamb's delicate fat; Bordelaise sauce reinforces the dark fruit; pommes Sarladaises' duck fat richness is matched by the wine's structure
• main: The Bordeaux fine dining tradition and its classified growth — veal's gentle richness allows the wine's mineral depth and complexity to shine; cèpes mirror the wine's earthy graphite; truffle amplifies the wine's complexity