- The wine has been released internationally at £1,152 (12×75)
- “This may well surpass the previous two vintages,” according to Neal Martin.
- Three potential perfect scores suggests this still might represent Fair Value.
The 2020 Château Smith Haut Laffite has been released for €96 per bottle ex-négociant, up 48.1% on the 2019 release.
The wine is being offered by the international trade for £1,152 per 12×75, 41.7% more than the current Market Price of the 2019.
This is the biggest price increase during this En Primeur campaign so far. However, some critic scores suggest this price still offers fair value.
Following on from Cos d’Estournel’s commemorative release yesterday, the 2020 Smith Haut Lafitte also features a special label to mark 30 years since the Cathiard family took over the estate.
Critical opinion
The 2020 Smith Haut Lafitte carries three potential 100-points from Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW (The Wine Advocate), Jeb Dunnuck, and James Suckling.
Perrotti-Brown said that, “this is the singular voice of Smith Haut Lafitte at its finest, and wow-oh-wow is it worth a listen”.
“Will it be better than the famous 2015? Maybe the best ever,” noted Suckling.
Dunnuck called it “one of the gems in the vintage” and advised that it “should be snatched up by readers”.
Although Neal Martin (Vinous) awarded a lower range of 95-97 points, he praised the “outstanding effort from winemaker Fabien Teitgen and his team”.
Antonio Galloni also awarded 95-97 and said that he “can’t wait to see how it ages.”
Fair Value
Prices for Smith Haut Lafitte are most closely correlated with Wine Advocate scores.
Today’s release falls below the Fair Value line offering when viewed through the Wine Advocate lense. However, followers of Martin may take a different view, with his upper range score at 97-points.
There are back vintages which appear to offer value as well, including the last five vintages – 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Our Bordeaux En Primeur 2020 page contains everything you need to know about this year’s campaign. You can also sign up for our daily En Primeur email alerts using the form below.
