2020 CHÂTEAU SMITH HAUT LAFITTE BLANC Cru Classé Pessac-Léognan, Lea & Sandeman

CHÂTEAU SMITH HAUT LAFITTE BLANC

2020 Cru Classé Pessac-Léognan

Colour White
Origin France, Bordeaux
Village Pessac-Léognan
Classification Cru Classé
ABV 14.5%

90% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Sémillon, 5% Sauvignon Gris. Fabulously ripe, rich nose of tropical fruits, oak (50% new) and sweet spice. There's a lovely depth of fruit, spice & phenolics on the palate, which is perfectly balanced with tangy acidity. This was very much the standout from the whites we tasted. Delicious and very moreish, even now. It will be interesting to see how this develops but it's so good already. Highly recommended. Rating: 94 L&S (May 2021)


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Aromas of grapefruit, melon, ripe apple, and lemon. Lots of lemon curd as well. Full and layered with plenty of fine phenolics. Energetic and vivid. Minerally and lightly chewy at the end. From organic grapes. 90% sauvignon blanc, 5% sauvignon gris and 5% semillon. Rating: 97 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (May 2023)

The 2020 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc is superb. Élevage has done wonders in lending energy and brilliance. The 2020 shows the soft curves of the warm vintage, but it has tons of energy, too. That makes for an absolutely brilliant, compelling white that delivers on so many levels. The 2020 offers enough approachability to drink well now, but also the energy to develop well in bottle for many years to come. Drinking range: 2023 - 2030 Rating: 95 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Feb 2023)

Intense and complex from the first nose, with sharp-edged citrus that widens to creamy white peach, nectarine and pear through the mid palate, then kicks back up with bitter almond on the finish, giving the impression of separate textures and characters playing off each other. This is salivating and totally engrossing, with cold ash, chimney soot and gunsmoke coming in waves as it opens, with oyster shell salinity. 29hl/ha yield, 50% new oak barrels for ageing, with a few months back in stainless steel tanks before bottling. Harvest August 20 to September 9, one of the earliest on record. Certified organic as of 2019 in the vineyard, fully biodynamic farming as of this 2020 vintage. An upscore from En Primeur, a lovely wine from technical director Fabien Teitgen. Drinking range: 2023 - 2028 Rating: 97 Jane Anson, Decanter (Feb 2023)

Château Smith Haut Lafitte

Owned by the Cathiard family since 1990, Smith Haut Lafitte has a history that extends back to 1365. Originally owned by the Bosq Family, it was bought by Scotsman George Smith in the eighteenth century, and he gave it his name. He also built the manor house, and shipped the wine back to England.

In 1842, it passed, from his mother, to a M. Duffour-Dubergier, who was mayor of Bordeaux. His work raised the quality level and it was classified Grand Cru in the 1855 classification. The 20th century was mostly about Louis Eschenauer and his company, which distibuted the wines and eventually bought the property in 1958, investing over the time and building the barrel cellar.

The Cathiards fell in love with Smith in 1990, and have lavished care and considerable investment on it since then. Daniel Cathiard was a former ski champion, a member of the famous French Olympic team that included Jean-Claude Killy, and it was at that time that he met his wife Florence. Both have impressive track records of running businesses. Daniel built up the small chain of supermarkets that he inherited, and added a chain of sports shops, the group employing nine thousand people. Florence worked with him and also ran her own advertising company, ending up in a senior position in the McCann group. In 1990 they sold all their business interests to concentrate on Smith, where they have lived since. One of their daughters runs the Caudalie beauty products company (products based on the polyphenols extracted from grape pips), and the other two boutique hotels, including the 'Sources de Caudalie', next to Smith.

The Cathiards have since bought Château Cantelys in Martillac, and also, in 2012, part of the vineyard of Château Le Thil, as well as the house and the park. More recently they have been involved in the consortium which bought Château Bearegard (Pomerol) and Château Bastor Lamontagne (Sauternes).

This wine isn't currently part of a mixed case, but you can always browse our full selection of mixed cases here.
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