France

Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte

Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc Pessac-Leognan

Bordeaux

Pessac-Léognan

Some new oak, rather ripe tropical fruit, pineapple, mango notes, the palate is rich, warm with high ripeness, glycerol, viscous structure, layers of yellow fruit, some roasted oak, long warm finish. Ripe, bold, muscular, will develop complexity over time, serious structure, superb length, powerful, balanced.

Sommelier

Distinctive as ever, right at the top of what Pessac Léognan Blanc can deliver. Structured, fleshy white peach and pear, waves of salted cracker and sage, creamy texture, great length, just a brilliant wine. A buy.

Inside Bordeaux

This has structure and depth, serious tension, with slate, vibrant citrus, graphite, white pear, apricot, aniseed, liquorice, star anise, creamy but with a slice of steel that cuts through it. Brilliant quality, this is a standout white. Harvest August 18 to September 2. 50% new oak. Technical director Fabien Teitgen.

Delivers intensity and slow build. This stretches out and is a wine to savour, showing quince, white pear, fresh yet creamy white peach and citrus, edges of sage, lemongrass, tea. Great balance, and a mouthwatering salty lick finish. Clarity and vivid, can clearly age. One of the wines of the vintage. Harvest September 2 to 20.

Aroma av grilla ananas, kalk, havy sitron, lett anise, gule plommer, honning melon,

Veldig bra konsentrasjon, havy hvit, litt oljete, litt lav syre, 

Poeng 94

WSET 2

Smith Haut Lafitte sets the pace with dry whites in Pessac Léognan, one of the handful of truly brilliant examples of this style that is sure to age well, and deepen in character as it does so. Expect gunsmoke and flint on the opening beats, along with vibrant green apple, citrus and white peach fruits. Structured, succulent, excellent quality. Same score as the last time I tasted it, but I am extending the drinking window, because this have all you need for ageing. 50% new oak. 55% of overall production.

The white 2018 Smith Haut Lafitte gives a waft of SO2 over a delicate core of lemonade, fresh pears, and green mango, plus hints of chalk dust and coriander seed. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is taut with soft acidity and an oily texture, finishing with great length. 

by Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW

Kiwi, melon, lemon, mint, lime, pineapple, black currant, vanilla, oak, peach and honey

Expert

Even better than a recent tasting at Fête de la Fleur, this is balanced and luscious, showcasing the complexity of 12 years ageing, without losing the grip and tension of a young white wine. Lashings of citrus, oyster shell, rich and round through the mid palate. Out of magnum. 50% new oak.

Evolution evident in the colour, and on the palate you find bitter orange zest, smoke, candied ginger, waves of tertiary but flavoursome candied citrus and lemongrass. 1995 was the first year at the estate for technical director Fabien Teitgen, so this was his fourth vintage. Harvest began September 1 for the whites.

A hot early vintage, not classic for the whites, and this is from the pre-Cathiard era. Colour has softened and evolved into a tawny yellow, and this is full of oxidative notes, beeswax, walnut, lemon curd, rich, full of flavour, rather lovely but fully at its plateau, beginning to sink. Harvest began August 29 for the whites.

2023	No priceNot available	Extraordinary
2022	No priceNot available	Outstanding
2021	No priceNot available	Extraordinary
2020	1 516,40 krNot available	Outstanding
2019	1 251,30 krAvailable	Extraordinary

Category	White wine
Vinmonopolet no.
Producer	Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte
Vintages	2010
Country	France, Bordeaux, Pessac-Léognan
Bottle	75 cl

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Sugar	g/l

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