Friarwood

Named after George Smith, who owned the property in the 1720's, Smith Haut-Lafite remained a relatively obscure estate for some time. Wines of real complexity and finesse started to emerge from the estate in the mid-1980's, under the then owners: the Bordeaux negociant house Eschenaur, who had run the estate since 1902, but it has been under the current owners, the Cathiards, who purchased the estate in 1991, that Smith Haut-Lafite has becom an exceptionally fine wine. Daniel and Florence Cathiard have completely rebuilt the Chateau, renovated the winery, and built a completely new chai. They have also emploed both Michel Rolland and Stephane Derenoncourt as consultants, and employed tow highly skilled winemakers over the last decade and a half.

The wines the estate now produces are of a very high standard, and show great complexity. Whilst they can be a touch oaky in their youth, they are characterised by great harmony of fruit, acidity and tannin.