The Cathiard family, owners of Château Smith Haut Lafitte, joined the club of Bordeaux winegrowers based in California. The estate was founded in 1885 by two brothers from Scotland, James and William Rennie. The estate changed hands after Prohibition and again in the 1970s, until it was purchased by the Cathiard family in 2020. The cultivation of the vines and the production of the wines are carried out according to the same values as at Château Smith Haut Lafitte: a deep respect for nature and its beauty, meticulous work on the vines, and traditional know-how that plays a key role in innovation. This estate, located in Rutherford, boasts 25 hectares of vineyards. Cathiard Vineyard originates from the Rutherford and St. Helena AVAs, nestled in the foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains, where winemakers have cultivated the land for over a century. Cathiard Vineyard expresses the individuality of this unique terroir. Grapes are hand-harvested from Cathiard's oldest hillside vineyard. Once the grapes reach the cellar, they are gently destemmed and sorted to ensure the finest whole berries are used. The grapes are gravity-fed into fermentation tanks and left to macerate in the cold for up to five days. During the fermentation process, gentle manipulations, including pump-overs and punch-downs, enhance extraction. After 30 days in tanks, the wine is drained, pressed, and undergoes natural malolactic fermentation in new French oak. WINEMAKERS' COMMENTS Justine Labbé & Fabien Teitgen "A wine composed of the best of its namesake, Cathiard Vineyard displays an intensity and elegance that mirror the very soul of our terroir. On the palate, the wine showcases a velvety texture with rich flavors of dark fruits, tobacco and spice. Well integrated tannins provide structure and depth while a subtle minerality adds elegance and complexity. The finish is long and lingering, embracing the finesse of old world craftsmanship." FACT : In the tab: Attachment, you'll find the official fact sheet for this fine wine. We'll automatically send it to you when you order this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll also receive a nice discount