Les Hauts de Smith 2021 – Pessac-Léognan

The nose is nicely led and reveals purity, a nice fleshiness of the fruit. There are notes of bright raspberry, pulpy cherry and, to a lesser extent, lily, fresh violet and, to a lesser extent, pulpy blackberry, as well as fine hints of fleshy cherry, liquorice, a discreet hint of nutmeg and a subtle hint of star anise. The palate is nicely managed and offers a nice juiciness/crunchiness, good freshness, nice acidic backbone, energy, discreetly tight sapidity. On the palate this wine expresses notes of pulpy/juicy redcurrant, bright cherry and more lightly fresh/acidic raspberry combined with hints of blackberry as well as fine hints of violet, mocha/cocoa, a discreet hint of sweet blond tobacco, cardamom. Good length. The tannins are soft and well managed. A persistence on a fine note of toasted almond and tonka bean.