Smith Haut Lafitte 2023, Bordeaux en primeur
Decanter's Georgie Hindle tastes Smith Haut Lafitte 2023 en primeur, and other wines from the estate.
(Image credit: Luke Carver)

This morning’s (10 June) release of Château Smith Haut Lafitte 2023 (97-points, Decanter) maintained the trend for price cuts versus the 2022-vintage en primeur campaign last year. 

Yet the wine is more expensive than some of the Pessac-Léognan estate’s back-vintages, according to Liv-ex, a global marketplace for the trade.

It reported that the wine was released at €91.2 per bottle ex-négociant, down 20% versus the 2022 release, and with a UK offer price £1,188 per 12x75cl in bond (IB). However, initial prices varied; Farr Vintners and Bordeaux Index were offering the wine at £1,080 (12x75cl IB).

St-Émilion’s Château Larcis Ducasse 2023 (95pts) was also released, with a recommended UK price of £50 per bottle (IB), according to consultancy group Wine Lister.

Both releases follow a busy week for the en primeur campaign, which saw offers for first growth Château Margaux, among many others. See our scores and prices table for other Bordeaux 2023 en primeur releases.

See Decanter’s full verdict on the Bordeaux 2023 vintage, plus ratings and tasting notes on the top-scoring wines

Smith Haut Lafitte 2023

Smith Haut Lafitte 2023 was rated 97-points by Decanter’s Bordeaux correspondent, Georgie Hindle. 

‘This has lovely potential with chewy strawberry and cranberry flavours,’ Hindle said of the new release. ‘You don’t have the feeling of overt warmth…this offers freshness and tension, as well as ripeness.’ She also noted, ’It’s a beauty but will need time to expand and soften some more.’

While a 97-point score matches Hindle’s ratings for Smith Haut Lafitte 2022 (en primeur), and the 2019 vintage (in-bottle), analysts highlighted the elevated price of the latest release.

Liv-ex data showed that the 2023 is more expensive than current market prices for all other Smith Haut Lafitte vintages from the past decade, apart from the 2022 wine released last year which remains the most expensive.

It also mentioned the special-edition label that will adorn bottles of Smith Haut Lafitte 2023, celebrating the visit of King Charles III in September of that year.

Wine Lister said: ‘The special-edition label may spur interest among British buyers and Royal fanatics worldwide.’

Commenting on the visit last year, estate co-owner Florence Cathiard described the King as an inspiration. ‘He was really ahead of his time with organic farming and biodiversity,’ she said.

Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc 2023

Smith Haut Lafitte’s namesake dry white wine was also among several releases from the estate this week.

Wine Lister said the wine carried a recommended UK price of £117 per bottle IB – equivalent to £1,404 per 12x75cl – which meant it offered a slight discount on the 2022 wine and was more expensive than other available back-vintages.

Hindle gave 96-points to Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc 2023, which this year is a blend of 90% Sauvignon Blanc plus 5% each of Sauvignon Gris and Sémillon.

Hints of tropical fruits, such as pineapple and mango, combine with ‘lovely bitterness that adds tension to balance it out,’ she said. ‘More vibrancy and energy than in previous years. Succulent and sumptuous with salinity.’

Hindle awarded 96-points to the estate’s flagship white wine in the 2022 and 2021 vintages as well.

Larcis Ducasse 2023

Hindle gave Larcis Ducasse 2023 95-points after tasting it this spring. She described it as ‘quite a serious take’ on the vintage, but also found plenty of promise.

‘This is packing a lot of power, but keeps a cool edge with a vein of graphite and liquorice minerality,’ she wrote.

‘I love the hints of sweet and cool blueberries that just lift the expression, dotted with cool but spiced tobacco and clove.’

Wine Lister said a UK price of £50 per bottle IB – equivalent to £600 per 12x75cl – makes the 2023 vintage around 31% cheaper than the 2022-vintage release last year.

However, Larcis Ducasse 2022 received a 97-point score at the same point in its evolution, while Hindle rated the 2020 vintage at 98-points after tasting it in-bottle. The 2019 vintage was last scored at 94-points.  

Chris Mercer
Chris Mercer

Chris Mercer is a Bristol-based freelance editor and journalist who spent nearly four years as digital editor of Decanter.com, having previously been Decanter’s news editor across online and print.

He has written about, and reported on, the wine and food sectors for more than 10 years for both consumer and trade media.

Chris first became interested in the wine world while living in Languedoc-Roussillon after completing a journalism Masters in the UK. These days, his love of wine commonly tests his budgeting skills.

Beyond wine, Chris also has an MSc in food policy and has a particular interest in sustainability issues. He has also been a food judge at the UK’s Great Taste Awards.