The working experience, and my journey to Château Smith Haut Lafitte.
After working one week at the office, Grand Cru Classes de Graves, Bordeaux. Next week I got a proposal to work at the Château Smith Haut Lafitte bureau itself, and surprisingly at Madame Cathiard bureau. Such a prestigious chateau of Grand cru classes. It was no less than a dream for any individual. And specially as an wine & spirits Masters II student, It was also my second project with Cru classés, after Château Fieuzal and Vinexpo 2013. The day was bright and shiny, beautiful entrance with lush greenery around. The feeling was walking into the wild, and I could not resist myself for not taking a picture and tweeted immediately. In 1720 the property was bought by George Smith, a British négociant who gave the estate its present name. Through marriage and inheritance it eventually came under the ownership of Lodi-Martine Duffour-Duberrgier, mayor of bordeaux in 1842. The estate expended further, and by the turn of the century it numbered 270 hectares, of which 68 were planned with red varieties.When the Cathiards purchased the property in 1990, they quickly realized that the mechanical cultivation practiced had to be reversed. Hand picking was reintroduced for the “First Harvest in 1991” and weed killers were banned from 1992 on. Plowing has been used since 1991 on the whole estate.
Five hectares of vineyard on the present site of the hotel spa were uprooted and the Cabernet Sauvignon replanted on better, more gravelly soil across the road; and in the northern part of the estate Cabernet sauvignon that had difficulty ripening on clay soils was replaced with Merlot. How Magical, one can only identify with a visit.
Its the time to smell oaky aromas, as going to visit the chamber of wine barrels. All I smelt first is Venilla, the French oak does that. The chamber is quite tidy and easy to figure out different instruments, tools. In one corner we also have some samples of burned oak sticks, medium heated, generously heated, strong toasty ones. Clear, crisp and nicely placed and identified. Step by step we understand the process and hard work behind each of the barrels.
The Guide here is explaining the methods and some technique for the manufacturing a perfect barrel/ cask and how important the same of storing the wine. The symbol..the mark..on barrel is a recent work, touched and felt young. Trying to Understand the same, perhaps takes a lot of time. Specially for an ammature like me. The symbol represent Moon which is also linked with the ma ville Bordeaux, surrounded with Gironde.
Must say what an extremely talented young guide, explaining step by step about the barrel making process. Learning and gazing all the tools around, in the room. The guide is talking about the hard work behind the fine oak barrels. Three oak barrels a day. Must say tough work need strong hands indeed. At the moment we all are totally glued and jostling with various questions. The atmosphere is calm and pleasant, while we all listing and taking notes about vats making.
After the brief discussion on barrel making, and château tour, I was very thirsty as well. Remember I mentioned the weather report at first without any error. One of the hottest days of Bordeaux and the tour has came to an end…yes almost to towards it. While I keep myself engaged with various rising questions on my mind. Sometime I ask to the guide and sometimes my curiosity fades into the discussion. The moment we are out of the Barrel making chamber we saw another monument, SHL have plenty of artistic monuments. Almost every where in the property, beautifully placed and every monuments have its own stories for us, yes…for all of us.
The most important part at least for many of us, exporters, buyers the list never ends. Its the time for tasting blanc and rouge. After the scorching heat, the delicious floral fragrant blanc was the most desirable and pleasurable. We all are gathered here in the tasting room, which is decorated beautifully. At my first glance I absolutely loved the interiors, with tasting I got to see bit my bit more, the paintings, the books, the sculpture. One can only place them together, who is having an excellence in fine taste.
With the help of consultants and skilled young winemakers, the wines have become stronger and stronger, The Barrel – fermented white was the first to garner approval since the 1993 vintage. Sauvignon Gris was planted to supplement the sauvignon blanc, improving the wine’s aromatic complexity, and since 2002 a little Sémillon has been added as well. The style is full and ripe, elegant and fresh on the finish.
A little gasp..sipping the elegant blanc…such a Luxury!
And, now its time to head up and know more facts about rouge. 99 point by Robert Parker for Vintage 2009. The red took a little longer to hit its stride but from 1995 has been reassuringly consistent. The vintages from 2002 had greater purity of fruit, finesse, and length. Produced from a varying blend of 55 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 34 percent Merlot, 10 Percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 34 percent Merlot, 10 percent Cabernet Franc, and 1 percent Petit Verdot, this is a generous wine, modern to a degree but with a finish that’s pure, classic, minerally Graves. The right bottle of 1961 SHL has been kept in display, definitely not for sale. When I say Minerally Graves…I mean these gravels, exactly below pictures, once you sniff them you will be juggling more, how these stones helps to provide the aroma, and the link between them.
Château Smith haut Lafitte has been revived, the Cathiards Family proving that even great terroirs can benefit from a guiding hand. I believe I have have plenty of pictures to share, but I am not posting all of those here. Few has been already tweeted by @winesutra and rest has been uploaded in the blog. My another working experience at Cru classés de Graves has come to an end. The summer season in bordeaux is much more appreciated than my city Mumbai, country India. I am privileged working with one of Graves most beautiful château, which is not only have renowned wine but also known for there wine tourism. Every day, many tourist comes from different countries during summer vacation. Today is Sepetmbre 9th, weather has changed here drastically summer is almost about to end and we are stepping towards Autumn another beautiful season, with span of time soon it will be Vendange “Harvest and later the celebration.
A memorable day, a memorable journey has comes to an end, Vintage 2009 remains my favourite from Château Smith Huat Lafitte. What an excellent rouge, I will never forget my first time when I choose to drink SHL 2009, it was also 14th February 2013, a very special wine at pyrenees, in the family ski apartment, pleasure connecting in real. Never knew then, that one day I will work for Château Smith Haut Lafiite.
Many thanks to L’Union des crus classes de graves, Madame Dawson for choosing me for this project, Thanks to Rémy Marty with whom I worked on this project. And a special thanks to David Ornon (Director Commercial) who made this wine tour possible for me. This will be one of those project, from where I am taking a lot of experience, knowledge and nevertheless such humble atmosphere at the work. As a current student of MBA Wine Marketing & Management from INSEEC, International wine school of Bordeaux I am always ready and mostly greedy to grab such experiences. Heartily thanks remains to the family, for continuing love and support.
WINESUTRA 