CHÂTEAU SMITH HAUT LAFITTE Cru Classé Pessac-Léognan 2020 vs POMMARD 1er Cru Rugiens Domaine de Courcel 2016

Compare current tracked prices, stockists and core specifications. POMMARD 1er Cru Rugiens Domaine de Courcel 2016 currently starts £0.50 lower.

AvailabilityIn stockIn stock
Best current price£155.50£155.00
Current stockists1 merchant1 merchant
StyleOtherOther
GrapeMerlot, Cab Sauv, Petit Verdot, Cab FrancPinot Noir
ABV14.5%13%
Size750ml750ml
Where to buy

CHÂTEAU SMITH HAUT LAFITTE Cru Classé Pessac-Léognan 2020

The 2020 Smith Haut-Lafitte has a relatively straightforward bouquet with notes of forest floor, tree bark and black fruit. Scents of crushed stone and sandalwood emerge with time. The palate is medium-bodied with a lightly spiced entry, very cohesive and putting on weight toward the finish. I suspect that the nose is just closing up a little, hence my prudent score, but the palate is indicative of potential. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

POMMARD 1er Cru Rugiens Domaine de Courcel 2016

(from a 1.07 ha parcel in Rugiens-Hauts). This is aromatically quite similar to the Fremiers and also flashes a background note of oak influence. The dense, powerful and super-rich mineral-driven big-bodied flavors possess first-rate levels of dry extract while delivering fine length on the mocha-inflected, bitter cherry pit and noticeably warm finish. This is certainly impressive in its fashion but it’s somewhat particular in the context of the vintage.

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