It turns out that Killy always drank a glass of Bordeaux the night before a big race. He advised Daniel and Florence to do the same, thus fostering a love of Bordeaux.

Verrier Du Boscq planted the first vineyards in on a gravelly plateau referred to as Haut Lafitte. Several centuries later, Scotsman George Smith took over the estate and added his name.

Photo by Marla Norman. It was a position Duffour-Dubergier took seriously and he worked tirelessly to improve conditions in the city and to develop commercial opportunities throughout the region.

As we tour the SHL cellars with Daniel, he stops before a bust of Duffour-Dubergier and affectionately pats the statue.

When Daniel and Florence bought the estate in , there was much to improve. The two new owners set about renovating and upgrading their property — and of course given their competitive natures and business acumen, the changes were monumental.

The Cathiards invested millions in the vineyards, implementing organic techniques for the 78 hectares acres and replanting as necessary.

The 6, vines originally on the property grew to become 10, Mechanical harvesting ended immediately and additional staff were hired to pick grapes by hand.

Daniel devised an ingenious system of ergonomic hoods — based on a design used by Himalayan Sherpas — to protect grapes in transit to the winery for vinification.

Once in the processing areas, grapes were sorted and destemmed by hand and, more recently high-tech optical sorting scanners used as well.

The Cathiards also hired experts to advise them. Bordeaux legend Emile Peynaud initially assisted with the winemaking, along with Pascal Ribeyreau-Gayon, Denis Dubourdieu, and finally Michel Rolland, who continues to work as a consultant.

It took almost eight years of tastings, but eventually we could really rely on our own good palates.

Daniel explains that his coopers construct approximately three barrels a day, enough to fulfill all the estate requirements. We expected nothing less!

Not surprisingly, the couple constantly upgrade every aspect of their facility and winemaking processes, taking advantage of the latest technology.

SHL was one of the first properties to employ Oenoview satellite imagery to observe the vines as they mature and to harvest at the most optimal moment.

Smith Haut Lafitte is also one of the few properties in Bordeaux to maintain rootstock and to graft its own vines — all this in an extraordinary effort to develop the most productive and appropriate clones.

Daniel and Florence were ecstatic as the wine price doubled and the estate finally received serious recognition. But every year has it own rewards.

If you have a look at our five labels, you will see we still are challenging ourselves. Perpetual innovators and experimenters, the Cathiards are never content to simply make great wine.

Certainly, the Caudalie products have endured and prospered. The line is sold internationally and its enormous success prompted Mathilde, and her husband Bertrand Thomas, to open a hotel and spa on the Smith Haut Lafitte estate.

Les Sources de Caudalie has developed into a 5-star property with two restaurants — and two Michelin stars.

In addition to the vineyards, beauty products, spas, hotels and restaurants, the Cathiards are avid art collectors. Florence is especially passionate about the works of art she and Daniel have chosen.

For years it was an intimate collection, but now interest in our art has grown and we are happy to share it all. Currently there are 18 large works of art placed around the property.

A more recent acquisition is a kinetic sculpture that Florence and Daniel commissioned from American engineer Chuck Hoberman. Entitled Nousaison , the sculpture is an expandable sphere that opens and closes to represent berries maturing on the vines.

Photos by Marla Norman. Here, sculptures have been placed throughout the 8 hectare Each artist selects the site for his or her installation and the collection is as varied and eclectic as the sculptors themselves.

Laurent Perrier. Louis Roederer. Champagne Ruinart. Champagne Tsarine. Veuve Clicquot. Var - Coteaux du Verdon.

South Africa. New Zeland. Parker Suckling Martin Decanter Wine Spectator Out of stock. Hachette 17, Cases of 12 Bottles. Bordeaux Blanc Sauternes Barsac Cadillac.

Guigal M. Crozes-Hermitage Gigondas Hermitage Rasteau. Saint-Joseph Vacqueyras Vinsobres. Ayala Delamotte Deutz.

Bandol Provence Var - Coteaux du Verdon. South Africa Argentine Australie.

Verlieren, die groГen Fische zu Smith Haut Lafitte 2021, welche unverzichtbaren Spiele Virgin Games im. - Pessac-Léognan