2024 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc
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Tasting notes
The Smith Haut Lafitte team is particularly pleased with their white this year – and justifiably so. The challenge, they felt, was to build the flesh to go around the skeleton of acidity, that brings lovely energy to the wine. The nose is layered with generous peach, lemon peel, honey and toasty complexity from the oak (50% new). There’s great density to the palate here, the wine lithe yet round in mouth-feel, with a zest lift and saline edge to the long finish. 13.23% alcohol and 3.2pH. Blend: 90% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Semillon, 5% Sauvignon Gris
Critic scores
Average Score
Yohan Castaing, Wine Advocate
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The Grand Vin is 90% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% each of Sauvignon Gris and Semillon, all aged in 50% new oak, with malolactic fermentation blocked. The 2024 Château Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc brings beautiful Sauvignon notes of ripe citrus and grapefruit that are backed up by beautiful minerality, classy minty, floral, and melon nuances, medium-bodied richness, integrated acidity, and a great finish.
Wax candles. Linden. Lime. Jasmine. White floral notes – jasmine and elderflower, a little orange blossom too. Green tea and yuzu. A little peach skin, Granny Smith peel and just a hint of guava in all its essential freshness. Structured by the acidity and a little tannin. Even Macha. No signature of the oak, or very little – just a hint of spice. White peach and the texture of the skin – very tactile. So sapid and juicy. One of the best wines ever from here. A pinch from the tannins and then a release of salinity and even a little sweetness.
Minerals, smoke, tarragon and bright lemons on the nose. An almost full-bodied, textured white that delivers lots of freshness, weight and brightness on the palate. There is attractive salinity at the end before a long yet broad finish. 90% sauvignon blanc, 5% semillon and 5% sauvignon gris.
About the producer
Ch. Smith Haut Lafitte is one of the leading lights of Pessac-Léognan today – all thanks to Daniel and Florence Cathiard, who took over the property in 1990 and have since transformed the estate, converting to biodynamics and crafting wines of increasing finesse.