An estate run impeccably by the Cathiard family, Smith-Haut-Lafitte has been one of the bright shining stars of Bordeaux since the mid-1990s.

91 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

Deep ruby-red. Highly nuanced nose combines black raspberry, hot stones, minerals, smoke, graphite, tobacco and game. Juicy and suave on the palate, with notes of black raspberry, tobacco, smoke and game. Quite suave for the vintage, finishing with fine-grained tannins and lingering sweetness. Extremely user-friendly Graves , but with the balance to age. (6/2005)

90 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

This successful wine exhibits notes of ripe black currants and smoked herbs. With deep, concentrated, attractive flavors, medium body, sweet tannin, and decent acidity, this is an impressive, classic Graves that should drink well young yet age nicely for up to two decades. It is more structured and linear than the plump 2003, but both are top-notch efforts. (4/2005)