2019 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc
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Tasting Notes
Lots of lifted Indian dried spice, lime oil. Fantastic freshness, there is real texture on the palate – layered texture giving fantastic breadth in the mouth. Hints of tropical mango and pineapple but the dominating fruit is citrus – lemon, lime, stone fruit and ripe melon notes. The tensile nervy natue of the wine gives breadth and energy to the wine. Oily, sinewy textue is wonderful. Sustained finish, lovely purity.
Critic Scores
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Decanter
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
Subdued on the first nose but opens up to show the rich, citrus and rosemary-filled grown up glamour that Smith Haut Lafitte's white does so well. Acidity feels lower than in vintages like 2017 but similar to last year, with an emphasis on slate texture that narrows and focuses the tension through the palate, and suggests this will age well. Tasted twice three weeks apart and gorgeous both times, perhaps a little more developed in terms of its nuances and depth the 2nd time around, giving plenty of confidence to what will happen over the rest of ageing. If you are planning to drink this soon I recommend a good few hours in a carafe first. 3.15pH.
The blend this year is 90% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Sauvignon Gris and 5% Sémillon, fermented in French oak, 50% new, within which it will age for 12 months on lees with batonnage. The Smith Haut Lafitte 2019 Blanc has a nose that unfolds in stages—offering intense white grapefruit, green mango, yuzu and orange blossoms scents to begin, giving way to hints of coriander seed, turmeric, shaved almonds and cedar chest with wafts of baking bread and beeswax coming through after some coaxing. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is wonderfully opulent with layers of citrus, stone fruit and savory flavors and a seductive oiliness to the texture, finishing very long and fantastically refreshing. Wow-o-WOW, that is good!
Punchy citrus-mandarin aroma. Round, rich and exuberant. Practically opulent but a zesty acidity/freshness keeps everything in line. Oak really well integrated. Juicy finish. (JL)
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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.