LE PETIT SMITH HAUT LAFITTE

2021 Blanc Pessac-Léognan

IN STOCK
Grapes Sauv Blanc, Sémillon
Colour White
Origin France, Bordeaux
Other Certified Organic
Village Pessac-Léognan
ABV 13%

The 2021 Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc has a more generous nose than the Les Hauts de Smith Blanc thanks to the contribution of the 20% Sémillon. Yellow plum, dried pineapple and slithers of white peach feature on the nose. The palate is well balanced, taut and crisp, yet with real weight and depth. Lemongrass and stem ginger surface toward the finish. This punches well above its weight. A brilliant success and, frankly, within touching distance of the Grand Vin this vintage. Drinking range: 2024 - 2040 Rating: 92-94 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Apr 2022)

*Case price discount: Mix any 12 bottles of wine (or 9 litre equivalent) or 6 bottles of Champagne, Spirits, Sweet Wine or Fortified (4.5 litres) to get the discounted 'case price' for each bottle.

This is very aromatic, with blossom honey, sliced lemons and ripe green apples. Medium-bodied, it starts off slowly before building on the palate with a creamy texture and a fresh and driven finish. So much energy at the end. Impressive for the second wine. 80% sauvignon blanc and 20% semillon. From organically grown grapes. Rating: 95 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Jul 2024)

Precise and vivid, this has slate grip given an extra kick by liqourice and crushed rocks, more serious than Les Hauts de Smith, with beautiful depths through the palate, white tea, pink grapefuit, citrus. 24hl/h yield. Harvest September 2 to 20. One point upscore, this is a white that you give a few extra years in bottle. Drinking range: 2024 - 2028 Rating: 93 Jane Anson, Decanter (Mar 2024)

The 2021 Le Petit Haut Lafitte Blanc is a stellar wine that very much captures both the style of the year and the house style. Airy and gracious, with striking, understated depth, the 2021 is light on its feet and incredibly sublime. Crushed rocks, white pepper, mint, slate and citrus peel build into the pure, crystalline finish. Drinking range: 2023 - 2029 Rating: 94 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Feb 2024)

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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