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2015 Les Hauts De Smith Blanc
94 JS
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Critic Reviews
Bright aromas of ripe apples and white pineapple follow through to a full body, layered fruit and a slightly phenolic, textured finish. Gorgeous wine now but will improve with age. Drink or hold.
James Suckling | 94 JS
The 2015 Les Hauts de Smith Blanc, 100% Sauvignon, is fresh and lively in the glass, with terrific balance and class. Not surprisingly, varietal Sauvignon Blanc notes are front and center. But what I find most surprising is the wine's crystalline purity and chiseled feel. As always, the Les Hauts de Smith Blanc, while undeniably tasty, is more of a side project, as the wine does not share any sort of lineage or relationship to the white Grand Vin in the way the Le Petit Haut Lafitte Blanc does.
Vinous Media | 92 VM
This wine expresses that lovely signature of Les Haut de Smith, but the acidity is a little less grippy than in 2014 or 2016. 45% new oak, just a touch more subtle than this wine five years ago. Drinking Window 2018 - 2025.
Decanter | 91 DEC
This is juicy and bright, but broad as well, with waves of citrus oil, grapefruit zest and chamomile backed by twinges of honeysuckle and quinine. Nice intensity throughout. Drink now through 2022. 1,250 cases made.
Wine Spectator | 91 WS
Pure Sauvignon Blanc made from the young vines at Smith Haut Lafitte, the 2015 Les Hauts de Smith Blanc has a tensile, oyster shell tinged bouquet with yellow flowers and pink grapefruit developing in the glass. The palate is well balanced, tensile with a keen thread of acidity: plenty of citrus lemon, lime and tinned apricot leading to a smooth and refined finish. It just misses a little length, but you won't mind because you'll already be taking the next sip. What a gem of a white Pessac-Léognan—don't overlook this.
Robert Parker Neal Martin | 91-93 RP-NM
James Suckling | 94 JS
The 2015 Les Hauts de Smith Blanc, 100% Sauvignon, is fresh and lively in the glass, with terrific balance and class. Not surprisingly, varietal Sauvignon Blanc notes are front and center. But what I find most surprising is the wine's crystalline purity and chiseled feel. As always, the Les Hauts de Smith Blanc, while undeniably tasty, is more of a side project, as the wine does not share any sort of lineage or relationship to the white Grand Vin in the way the Le Petit Haut Lafitte Blanc does.
Vinous Media | 92 VM
This wine expresses that lovely signature of Les Haut de Smith, but the acidity is a little less grippy than in 2014 or 2016. 45% new oak, just a touch more subtle than this wine five years ago. Drinking Window 2018 - 2025.
Decanter | 91 DEC
This is juicy and bright, but broad as well, with waves of citrus oil, grapefruit zest and chamomile backed by twinges of honeysuckle and quinine. Nice intensity throughout. Drink now through 2022. 1,250 cases made.
Wine Spectator | 91 WS
Pure Sauvignon Blanc made from the young vines at Smith Haut Lafitte, the 2015 Les Hauts de Smith Blanc has a tensile, oyster shell tinged bouquet with yellow flowers and pink grapefruit developing in the glass. The palate is well balanced, tensile with a keen thread of acidity: plenty of citrus lemon, lime and tinned apricot leading to a smooth and refined finish. It just misses a little length, but you won't mind because you'll already be taking the next sip. What a gem of a white Pessac-Léognan—don't overlook this.
Robert Parker Neal Martin | 91-93 RP-NM
Wine Details for 2015 Les Hauts De Smith Blanc
| Type of Wine |
Bordeaux White
: In the world of wine, all other regions must bow before Bordeaux. The absurdly-talented white wine producers continue to assert their dominance by bringing out the true potential of varietals such as Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, and Sauvignon Gris. If you have even the slightest bit of appreciation for fine white wine, these bottles will change your life. |
|---|---|
| Varietal |
Sauvignon Blanc
: The varietal of Sauvignon Blanc, which hails from Western France and now successfully grown in emerging and established wine regions all over the world, is an ancient grape. Sauvignon Blanc and its red counterpart, Cabernet Franc, gifted to the world of wine its offspring, Cabernet Sauvignon. Its progeny has become the most popular and widely planted varietal in the world but Sauvignon Blanc is no slouch, ranking among the top ten, itself. Its exact emergence upon the earth is still undetermined, but appears to be indigenous to central France (the Loire Valley) or to the southwest France (Bordeaux). There is still discussion as to Sauvignon Blanc’s actual origins, with both Bordeaux and the Loire claiming to be the grape’s homeland. Both fashion incredible wine from the varietal and have been a leading force for the wine’s world-wide popularity. Sauvignon Blanc is so popular today, that 123,000 hectares are planted to the varietal across the world, ranking third among all white wine producing varietals, behind only Airen (218,000ha) and Chardonnay (211,000ha). The origin dispute aside, the grape’s versatility means its regions and styles are remarkably diverse, both within France and internationally. Sauvignon Blanc’s geographical spread and versatility means it is found in a range of styles from classic dry white wines to individual, highly aromatic international interpretations to highly unctuous, sweet wines. The Loire appellations of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume produce, arguably, the greatest example of the quintessential Sauvignon Blanc offering, often as a single-varietal and unoaked bringing forth wines that are mineral, citrusy, steely, bright and reasonably long-lived. Pouilly and Sancerre are home to some of the top selling Sauvignon Blanc domains in the world, from Dageuneau (Pouilly-Fume) to Vacheron (Sancerre). Bordeaux also produces a classic dry white from Sauvignon Blanc, but is most often in the form of a blend of Sauvignon and Semillon. Haut-Brion Blanc, Pavillon Blanc de Chateau Margaux (100% Sauvignon Blanc) and Cos d’Estournel Blanc are some of the top selling, quality white Bordeaux offerings. Whereas the typical winemaking techniques of Loire do not involve oak-aging, it most often does occur in Bordeaux, giving the wine a signature texture and a mix of herbal and tropical aromas. In Sauternes (including Barsac) a very unique winegrowing method is implemented. The grapes of Sauvignon Blanc (Semillon and Muscadelle) endure a long hang time in which the late Autumn fog and humid climate attracts Botrytis Cinerea, a fungus that attacks the grape, also known as noble rot. The result is an unctuous, utterly delicious golden liquid that has placed the wines of Sauternes as some of the most characteristic and expensive in the world. Chateau d’Yquem and Chateau Climens are undoubtedly among the top producers in the region. Outside of France, Sauvignon Blanc, with its diverse and easily manipulated qualities has grown in popularity and now inhabits over 38 countries in some of the greatest terroir hotspots including New Zealand, California, Chile, Spain and Australia. Sauvignon Blanc arrived in California in the 1860’s but the varietal’s mainstream influence on American consumers wouldn’t come until 1966 when Robert Mondavi fashioned a dry white in the style of a Loire wine, naming it Fume Blanc. The varietal has only grown in quality and popularity in America since. Sauvignon Blanc thrives in terroirs and climates that mimic that of the Loire Valley, where it perhaps, reaches its full zenith. The soil consists heavily of flint (silica), which gives it a smoky aroma found in both Pouilly-Fume and Sancerre. However, Sauvignon Blanc is quite adaptable to a myriad of terroirs around the world, revealing each terroir through the wine itself. The varietal of Sauvignon Blanc is simply tremendous in its quality, non-discrimination of its elements (to a degree) and has fashioned some of the world’s most intriguing array of wines. |
| Country |
France
: Wine is the lifeblood that courses through the country of France, pulsing with vigorous pride and determination. Viticulture is not just a hobby or an occupation in France; it is a passion, a cherished tradition that has been passed down through generations of wine stained hands. Winemaking is a beloved art that has been ingrained in the culture, an aptitude instilled in sons by fathers and the hallmark for which France’s reputation was built, allowing it to be renowned as, arguably, the most important wine producing country in the world. For centuries, France has been producing wines of superior quality and in much greater quantity than any other country in the world. It boasts some of the most impressive wine regions, coveted vineyards and prestigious wines on earth. The regions of Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone, Sauternes and Champagne have become the benchmark, for which others aspire to become. Legendary producers such as Chateaux Margaux, Domaine De La Romanee Conti, Chapoutier, d’Yquem and Dom Perignon are idolized world-wide. France has stamped its name on nearly every style of wine, from the nectar-like sweet Sauternes to hedonistic Chateauneuf Du Papes classic Bordeaux and Burgundy, to its sparkling dominance in Champagne. Many of the most infamous grape varietals in the world, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay originated in France and are not only beloved, but utilized in the creation of some of the greatest wines on earth. French wine production commands the attention of the wine market year after year. With over 860,000 hectares under vine, and numbers close to 50 million hectoliters of wine produced annually, France dominates the market and sets the standard for not only product quality, but also quantity. France’s many contributions to the world of wine have been absolutely indispensable. The country is the originator of the term “Premier Cru,” coined the term Terroir (a French term so complex there is no literal translation) and has laid the blueprint for a structured appellation system, which others have implemented in their own countries. French vineyard techniques and winemaking practices are mimicked world-wide. California vintners have been replicating Rhone style wines for decades, South America has adopted the French varietal of Malbec and countries around the world are imitating Burgundian styled Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. With vast diversity in terroir, France is home to some of the most hospitable winegrowing locations on earth. The combination of topography, geology, climate, rainfall and even the amount of sunlight combined with the long historical tradition of winegrowing and making, has allowed the vintners of France to not only hone their skills, but learn from nature to create a product that like the world in which it resides… is very much alive. |
Overview
| Producer | Smith Haut Lafitte |
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