One of the top producers of Bordeaux Blanc, Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte is located in the Pessac-Leognan appellation and located south of the city of Bordeaux in Martillac. A house with an incredible history, Smith-Haut-Lafitte dates back to the 14th century with the house of Verrier Du Boscq who planted vines on a gravelly plateau named Lafitte already in 1365. In 1720, it was bought by the Scotsman Georges Smith who added his name and also who built the manor house of the property. Today the modern facility focuses on biodiversity in the vineyards. Most of the vineyard production focuses on their red wines (67 hectares planted to red varietals compared to 11 hectares planted to white varietals).
I love the red wines from Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte but I have always felt that the white wines from this estate are truly something special that rival the best in Bordeaux — especially when you factor price. I have also noticed an increase in quality of the wines starting in the late 1990s. I recently had the chance to visit the 2017 and 2018 Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte and was absolutely mesmerized with both bottlings. They were each unique and quite differently evolved. The 2017 Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc (OB, 97) shows more mid-palate ripeness and slightly less finesse than the 2018 bottling. The ’17 shows nothing short of insanely good aromatic and flavor range, and is just starting to evolve into some nutty tones. The 2018 Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc (OB, 97) is soft and a bit slower to evolve at the moment. It is a dense, tightly wound wine that will need more time to fully be aroused in the bottle, but is a masterclass of its own just as the ’17 is. Learn more about these famed wines at https://www.smith-haut-lafitte.com/en/home/ and here are my tasting notes from the glorious 2017 and 2018 Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc wines.
2017 Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc- This is now the second time in the past year that I have had the opportunity to review this beautiful wine. A dazzling blend of 90% Sauvignon Blanc with 5% Semlillon and 5% Semillon Gris, this Bordeaux Blanc exudes class with pine nuts, honeysuckle and banana tones alongside dried apricot and brandy soaked pear with flinty undertones. The palate is plush and soft with a gorgeous sense of texture and verve. Green papaya, wet stone, Macadamia nut, Japanese pear and cantaloupe flavors all shine brightly together. Sinfully good now even at four years of age, this has a really long way to go in the cellar. Drink 2021-2042- 97
2018 Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc-The 2018 Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc is a dense and gorgeous bottling that is only beginning to show glimpses of its full potential. Flinty aromas meld with cantaloupe, green bell pepper, and lime zest. The palate is lush and beautifully textured and structured with salted pineapple, cantaloupe, wet stone, salty minerals and green apple flavors. The gratifying length adds to the enjoyment as this outstanding Bordeaux Blanc will continue to cellar well for another twenty years. Give this at least two hours in the decanter if enjoying now. Drink 2021-2042- 97