CHÂTEAU SMITH HAUT LAFITTE BLANC
2024 Cru Classé Pessac-Léognan
| Colour | White |
| Origin | France, Bordeaux |
| Village | Pessac-Léognan |
| Classification | Cru Classé |
| ABV | 13% |
Minerals, smoke, tarragon and bright lemons on the nose. An almost full-bodied, textured white that delivers lots of freshness, weight and brightness on the palate. There is attractive salinity at the end before a long yet broad finish. 90% sauvignon blanc, 5% semillon and 5% sauvignon gris. Rating: 97-98 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (May 2025)
Alternatively, we may well have some bottles in one of our shops - why not give us a call on 0207 244 0522 or send an email to: sales@leaandsandeman.co.uk.
Or, check the RELATED PRODUCTS below for different vintages or wines of a similar style.
A gorgeous aromatic blossom of white peaches, peach pit, sage, apple blossom, soft clove and white truffle spices, gentle lift through the palate, a wonderfully fragrant, generous but finessed Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc, with so much depth and length. 50% new oak for ageing, harvest August 29 to September 13, 3.2ph. Energy maintained through the palate, up there with one of the whites of the vintage. Drinking range: 2026 - 2038 Rating: 95 Jane Anson, www.janeanson.com (May 2025)
90 Sauvignon Blanc, 5 Sauvignon Gris, 5 Semillon: 50% new oak: 13.4% alc: Harvested between 29 August and 13 September
As close to perfection as I can remember, this is a spectacular Grand Vin, with super complex flavours and a mid-palate, followed by the length of finish that is nothing short of sensational. This is also a shockingly delicious wine in a world context. The detailed perfume, heavenly texture and finely tuned balance conspire to make this a breathtaking creation. It already seems to have found a near-perfect equilibrium, but it is likely to evolve further for a decade and perhaps two. The crystalline purity underpinning the staggeringly complex citrus, ginger, and patisserie notes is incredible, and the finish is 15 minutes long. While there are a number of incredibly pretty white wines in this vintage, SHL is the one that made the biggest impression on my taste memory. Rating: 19.5 Matthew Jukes www.matthewjukes.com (May 2025)
The 2024 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc is a blend of 90% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Sauvignon Gris and 5% Sémillon, matured in 50% new oak. It needed a bit of aeration in the glass, eventually revealing scents of Anjou pear, gooseberry, white flowers and light flinty aromas. The palate is well balanced with lilting nectarine, pear and stem ginger notes. Fine weight and depth, with a judicious touch of spice towards the finish. The sapidity and linearity of this impressive Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc mean it should repay cellaring. Drinking range: 2027 - 2050 Rating: 94-96 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 2025)
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).
- For full delivery details see our Delivery page.
- We offer free nationwide* delivery for all orders over £150 with our own vans. We also offer an express delivery service for an additional charge.
- Order & Collect from any of our 5 London shops. Order by Midnight for collection the next working day from 11am.
- Private wine storage: we offer a full In Bond and Duty Paid private wine storage service - find out more here.
RELATED PRODUCTS
2020 CHÂTEAU SMITH HAUT LAFITTE BLANC Cru Classé Pessac-Léognan
Bordeaux France 14.5% White
.
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 per...(read more)
L&S
2021 LE PETIT SMITH HAUT LAFITTE Blanc Pessac-Léognan
Bordeaux France 13.5% White
Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc.
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 featur...(read more)
Neal Martin, www.vinous.comORDER COLLECT
ORDER ONLINE AND COLLECT FROM ONE OF OUR SHOPS