Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc Pessac-Leognan 2022 PRE-ARRIVAL

Pre-arrival. Estimated to be available December 2024.

Château Smith Haut Lafitte, has a storied history dating back to the 14th century. The estate was named after George Smith, a Scottish wine merchant who acquired it in the 18th century and added "Haut Lafitte" to highlight its prime location on a gravelly ridge. Renowned for its exceptional red and white wines, it was revitalized in 1990 by the Cathiard family, who introduced sustainable practices and modernized winemaking while preserving its heritage. Today, the château is celebrated for its commitment to biodynamics, artisanal craftsmanship, and producing world-class wines.

98 Points James Suckling
This zooms over the palate from the minute you taste it with energetic acidity, grapefruit, pear, lemon and white peach character. Dried, candied lemon. Crushed stone, too. Medium-bodied with polish and class. 90% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Semillon and 5% Sauvignon Gris.

97 Points Jeb Dunnuck
The flagship 2022 Château Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc is a normal blend of 90% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% each of Sauvignon Gris and Sémillon. Aged in 55% new French oak, it shines in the vintage and brings plenty of classic richness and depth while at the same time staying pure, clean, and balanced. Honeyed lemon, orange blossom, white flowers, and crushed stone all define the aromatics, and it has a beautiful mouthfeel that certainly brings the richness and depth of the vintage. This is another gem of a white from this incredible château.

96 Points Decanter
Lovely perfumed notes, floral, intensely fruity with vanilla, elderflower, green apple, pear, peach and white blossom, expressive and aromatic. Succulent and juicy straight away, a real hit of citrus juice, sharp and intense, so lively and yet the texture is quite filling giving a well balanced mouthfeel. Calm but layered, you feel the precision of each aspect, the soft toasted notes, bitter grapefruit and lemon peel, crisp green apple and mineral salinity - each is carefully presented. It’s rich and has concentration but keeps the focus delivering a supremely drinkable and nuanced wine. I love the mineral tang and long length. You get the feeling of a large, warm vintage but the acidity and focus is there, so it doesn't end heavy. Lots to like here and one of the best whites of 2022.

95 Points Wine Advocate
It appears likely that the 2022 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc will overtake its 2019 counterpart as one of the most successful white wines this estate has produced to date, something that's especially impressive in the context of the vintage. Exhibiting aromas of linden, menthol, crisp orchard fruit and smoke, it’s medium to full-bodied, fleshy and crystalline, with racy acids and an unctuous mid-palate. Chalky structuring dry extract makes its presence felt on the long, mineral finish. This is a blend of 90% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Sémillon and 5% Sauvignon Gris.

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