2015 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc Bordeaux White

2015 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc

98 JS

Featured Review

Very subtle and complex with sliced cooked apples, pie crust and hints of oyster shell as well as Iodine. Full-bodied, tight and layered with mineral and true terroir character. Just a touch of seamless tannins. Solid and fresh. Needs decanting young. Serious for aging. Better in 2020. James Suckling

James Suckling | 98 JS

Composed of 90% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Sémillon and 5% Sauvignon Gris, the Smith Haut Lafitte 2015 Blanc has an incredibly compelling nose of ripe apricots, passion fruit, honeyed lemons and crushed stones with a hint of lime blossoms. Medium-bodied, super intense and super minerally, the palate sings of stone fruit and citrus layers with plenty of zip and zing, finishing with incredible persistence, alluring fruitiness and a savory contrast that will keep you reaching for another glass.

Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 96+ RP

Donning a unique black and gold label to mark the 25th vintage under the Cathiard ownership, this is a very special wine indeed. Youthful in appearance, the wine balances opulence, density and depth. Aromatic appeal is driven by Linden tea, pristine ripe stone fruit and subtle citrus aspects. The palate craftily integrates subtle oak notes (aged in 50% new oak) with ripe white stone fruit, reflecting polish and elegance. The juicy ripe pear on the long finish is pleasingly noteworthy. It can age blissfully for at least another 10 years. A testament to the innovation, precision and hard work in both the vineyard and the vat room. Drinking Window 2020 - 2035.

Decanter | 96 DEC

I was able to taste the 2015 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc twice and it showed beautifully on both occasions. Based on 90% Sauvignon Blanc and the balance Sémillon and Sauvignon Gris, aged in plenty of new wood, this ripe, sexy 2015 knocks it out of the park with its citrus oil, caramelized lemons, tangerine and honeysuckle aromatics. This palate doesn’t lose a beat either and is full-bodied and concentrated, with vibrant acidity and blockbuster length. I’d drink bottles over the coming 10-15 years, yet I suspect it will keep longer. It’s in the top 2-3 whites of the vintage.

Jeb Dunnuck | 96 JD

Piercing and pure, with vibrant honeysuckle and chamomile flower notes followed by grapefruit, lemon and white peach flavors. The finish ripples with energy, while fleur de sel and gooseberry accents fill in. Terrific length. Best from 2019 through 2029. 2,500 cases made.

Wine Spectator | 96 WS

In 2015 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc is rich, sumptuous and incredibly inviting, with no hard edges and fabulous balance. Even with all of its obvious intensity, the 2015 retains a good bit of freshness. Naturally, the 2015 leans toward the richer end of the spectrum in 2015, yet all of the signatures are very much in place. The aromatics aren't fully expressive. It will be interesting to see what time brings.

Vinous Media | 95 VM

Tight and firm, this young wine has great potential. The richness, good acidity and minerality promise a great future. Densely textured, it is powerful and very rich. Drink from 2024.

Wine Enthusiast | 94 WE

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	Bordeaux Blend
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.
Cru	Fifth Growth

Producer	Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte : In order for a wine to possess the perfect balance, there must be a symbiotic relationship between nature and human aptitude, between land and sky, vine and terroir. True passion and understanding for this synergetic nurturing of vine to take root and flourish in its natural ecosystem is utterly essential to its success. This magnificent exploit takes place in the vineyard, cellar, and natural landscape of the picturesque Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte. Owners, Daniel and Florence Cathiard give praise for the balance in life. Their admission that everything comes from the soil speaks volumes to the operation under their control. After purchasing the Pessac-Leognan vineyard in 1990, Daniel and Florence Cathiard vowed to perpetuate its tradition of excellence. Their philosophy is “…to do everything possible to make each vintage of red and white wine worthy of our magnificent terroir.” They have been able to accomplish this incredible feat by considering the world with humility, by harvesting the best fruit without depleting the soil and adopting a long-term, sustainable approach. The complexity of their wines are a reflection of the precious terroir and their increased commitment to that balance of life; allowing nature to shine with minimal human nurturing. The hilly terroir of semi-precious and river stones deposited by the Garonne millions of years ago lends to the estates reputation as “the quintessential Graves.” The natural terrain allows optimal drainage of their precious soil, forcing the vine roots to sink deep to extract water and mineral salts while the gravelly soil creates a “mirror effect” reflecting the sun’s rays promoting optimum ripening. This spectacular occurrence breathes life into the wines of Smith Haut Lafitte. Over the past thirty years, this organic certified estate has relied upon its own Bio-Precision philosophy with the aim of combining traditional and innovative techniques in the vineyard and cellar. The vineyards span a privileged location surrounded by woodland, orchards and beehives, which in turn enhances biodiversity. Numerous efforts to improve the estate’s sustainability have been implemented, including planting trees in the heart of the vineyards, shrubbery at the edges of vines to prevent erosion, organic composting and the traditional use of horse and plow, further expanding their commitment to nature. Another remarkable method used by the estate is the growing of their own herbs used for creating decoctions which are then sprayed on the vines, environmentally increasing the health and vitality of their vineyards. Spread across the 87-hectare, single-block vineyard is an ocean of vines which produce their sensational portfolio of red and white wines. Seven different grape varieties are grown on the property including, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot used for blending the red wines. Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris and Semillon are used in their white wine production. Their flagships Smith Haut Lafitte and Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc produce 10,000 and 2,500 cases respectively each year. Their second and third wines both have a white counterpart and have minimal annual production. This impressive operation constantly seeks answers from nature, placing great emphasis on enhancing that harmony with human talent, in its efforts of creating a perfectly balanced wine.