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In bond

Wine can be bought and storied ‘in bond’ – this means that it is stored in an HM Customs & Excise approved bonded warehouse. This is very popular because duty and VAT is not payable until the wine is removed from this warehouse. If you select ‘In Bond’ we will need your bonded warehouse details. If you don’t have a bonded warehouse account, you can set one up with us – check out our HE Reserves page to take advantage of these benefits.

Delivery

If you want to have these items delivered to you instead of keeping them in a bonded warehouse, you must select ‘Delivery’. Duty will be added to your items now and VAT will be added at checkout.

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Condition Notice
Condition Notice

Hatton and Edwards specialise in vintage and unique goods. Whilst we pride ourselves on sourcing the finest wines and spirits cellared in proper conditions, imperfections are sometimes inevitable. We want our customers to be able to purchase with confidence, and to understand exactly what they are purchasing, therefore, any products that we consider to have noteworthy imperfections are marked with an asterisk* and their price will reflect their condition.

Condition notes vary across our products, but some examples of the most likely condition notes are:

Damage to a labels and capsules

Much of HE stock has been sourced from classic cellars outside of their cases. Storing wine like this can increase the chances of label damage, for example when moving bottles or high humidity causing dampness. Similarly, damage to capsules can occur. Whilst some wines on our list may have damage to the capsule, Hatton and Edwards will never sell an item which cannot be confirmed as fully sealed.

Bin Soiled

Very bin soiled

Capsule damage

Low levels

‘Ullage is the best guide you have to the condition of a bottle of wine, especially if you don’t know for certain how it’s been stored.’ Matt Walls (Decanter.com 2018)

We would never sell a bottle with an abnormally low level for its age. We ensure this by sourcing our wines from cellars with above c.70% humidity and temperatures below 15C, absent of light and vibrations.

However, wines are subject to natural processes so older vintages do experience ullage and this should be expected. Indeed, an ullage could be defined as good when considered against the wine’s vintage!

Below are some examples

Base of neck

Top Shoulder

Mid shoulder

Cases or Boxes

Where we list the format as a multiple (eg 12x75cl, 6x75cl, 3x150cl etc.), this will always denote wines sold in their original wooden or cardboard case.

Spirits should always be assumed to come with their original cases (where one existed). However, if the box or case has been lost, we will mark this item with an asterisk * to show you there is a condition note. Where the producer did not release the spirit with any packaging, this will not be deemed a condition note and no asterisk will be used.

Spirits

We stock some old bottles of spirits. Spirits closures may deteriorate over time so please take care when opening these bottles. Our products are sold as they are described and we cannot accept any liability for the state of the closure.

Individual product condition notes are not listed on our website, however, if you want to know more about a particular item or list of items, please get in touch with our team directly at [email protected]. We will be happy to provide detailed condition notes and/or images upon request.

Please be aware that purchasing is at the buyer’s risk and we cannot accept returns or refunds for asterisked * condition note items. If you have any questions about the condition of any of our stock, please do get in touch with the team in advance.

All prices exclude VAT. In bond items IB exclude duty. Select 'delivery' on IB items to show price including duty.

What does this mean?

Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte Cru Classe, Pessac-Leognan, 2020

Out of stock

Type Wine (Still)
Colour Red
Alcohol Content 14.5
Vintage 2020
Country France
Region Bordeaux
Sub Region Pessac-Leognan

This product is currently out of stock and unavailable.

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Critic Review
Critic Review
Vingt-Vingt Vins: Bordeaux 2020 (May 2021)

The 2020 Smith Haut Lafitte was picked from September 9, the yields 20% down on average due to the dry summer period, and matured in 60% new oak with no vin de presse. This actually blossomed after an hour’s opening, revealing exquisite blackberry, briar, crushed rock and light rose petal scents, very nuanced considering the growing season and the 14.5° alcohol. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and a very fine line of acidity that keeps this on its tippy-toes. Disarmingly pure, its silky texture is very appealing, likewise the veering toward more red berry fruit lacked with white pepper toward the finish. This may well surpass the previous two vintages. An outstanding effort from winemaker Fabien Teitgen and his team.

Neal Martin - 95-97


Bordeaux 2020: Saving the Best for Last (Feb 2023)

The 2020 Smith Haut Lafitte is every bit as captivating as it was from barrel. Ample, rich and explosive, the 2020 offers up an exciting mélange of dark fruit, chocolate, spice, gravel, leather and dried herbs, with a touch of new oak that adds raciness. This towering, vertical Smith Haut-Lafitte won't be ready to drink for a number of years, but it is super impressive. Even with all of its intensity, the 2020 retains terrific freshness and energy.

Antonio Galloni - 97


2020 Bordeaux En Primeur: Almost Back to Normal (Jun 2021)

The 2020 Smith Haut Lafitte is a thrilling wine of grandeur and spellbinding beauty. The aromatics literally soar out of the glass, perhaps driven by a touch more Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. A vertical, explosive wine, the 2020 possesses tremendous energy. It is a rapturous wine that will delight readers for years to come. A move towards gentler extractions, with less oak impact, allows the purity of the fruit to come through loud and clear. Inky dark cherry, plum, mocha, dried herbs and lavender are all amplified in the 2020, but what I admire most is a total sense of harmony. I can't wait to see how it ages, as evolution has at times been the sole Achilles heel here.

Antonio Galloni - 95-97


Thrice Is Nice: Bordeaux 2020 in Bottle (Feb 2023)

The 2020 Smith Haut Lafitte has a glorious, complex bouquet that has evolved very well in barrel. Beautifully-defined with blackberry, peony, sous-bois and crushed stone, very precise and detailed. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy, succulent tannins matched by a countervailing bead of acidity. Very detailed with a judicious touch of white pepper towards the finish that fans out extremely well. This is a deeply impressive Smith Haut Lafitte that is one of the Cathiard's finest in recent years.

Neal Martin - 96

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Shipping Information
Shipping Information

We aim to process orders within 7 working days. If you have an urgent request, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate this for you.

Minimum order

We have a minimum order of £500 excluding VAT.


UK shipping

We offer free UK shipping for orders over £1000 excluding VAT.

For orders under this amount the following charges apply:

  • Delivery – £16.50 excluding VAT
  • In Bond Transfers – £11 excluding VAT

International shipping

International shipping charges vary depending on the destination and volume – check our shipping calculator for an estimate. Lead times vary depending on the destination.

Head to our Shipping and Refunds page for more information.

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