Extremely polished with tannins that melt into the wine, showing blackberry, black-olive and walnut undertones. It's full-bodied, yet reserved and tight. Very fine for the second wine of Smith.

The 2019 Le Petit Haut Lafitte is a potent, brooding wine. Gravel, crushed rocks, blackberry jam, lavender, menthol and licorice infuse the 2019 with tremendous character and nuance. Cabernet Sauvignon takes the leading role, and that very much comes through in the wine's tannic profile and overall feel. This is a fabulous showing. Le Petit Haut Lafitte is a serious second wine that needs a bit of time in bottle to be at its very best.

More serious than the forward Les Hauts de Smith, the 2019 Le Petit Haut Lafitte contains only 40% Merlot, with the balance Cabernet Sauvignon. Exhibiting aromas of crème de cassis, sweet berries, cocoa nib, pencil shavings and loamy soil, it's medium to full-bodied, lively and concentrated, with a more structured, reserved profile but more incipient complexity too.

Ripe and silky, with alluring warmed cassis and mulled plum flavors and a red licorice accent. The finish, which is carried by lightly singed cedar and grilled savory notes, lets the fruit have the upper hand. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

The 2019 Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte is fabulous. Rich, powerful and vibrant, Le Petit packs a serious punch. Readers will have a hard time keeping their hands off this jewel of a wine. Black cherry, plum, new leather, licorice, mocha and dried herbs build as this effusive, generous wine shows off its racy, alluring personality. I loved it.