Name: 2017 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc - 750 ml
Brand: Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte
SKU: 83353-750-XX3
Price: 145 USD
Availability: InStock

2017 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc

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One of the whites of the vintage is the 2017 Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc, which is based on 90% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% each of Sauvignon Gris and Semillon. Offering a huge, salty, mineral-laced bouquet of crushed lemons, acacia flowers, pineapple, and crushed rocks, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, racy acidity, a stacked mid-palate, and a crisp, chiseled, lengthy finish that keeps you coming back to the glass. It has the fruit and texture to drink nicely even today, yet my money is on it benefiting from 2-4 years of bottle age, and it should have over two decades of longevity.

Jeb Dunnuck | 97 JD

This is fabulous white with sliced apples, pears, stones, flint and light cream. Really incredible. Full-bodied, yet so tight and polished with superb finesse and density at the same time. A fantastic Smith white. A blend of 90% sauvignon blanc, 5% sauvignon gris and 5% semillon. Drink or hold.

James Suckling | 97 JS

The 2017 Blanc prances out of the glass with pretty, cheerful scents of fresh green apples, lemongrass, lime leaves and white peaches plus spicy touches of fresh ginger, coriander seed and white pepper. Medium-bodied, the palate has fantastic intensity and tension, with a racy backbone cutting through the tightly knit citrus and spice layers, finishing long and mineral laced.

Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 97+ RP

This wine is distinct in its texture, with a mere hint of spice from wood. What makes it special is the harmony among perfume, acidity, texture and superb fruit. The wine finishes with a touch of saltiness. It needs plenty of time, don’t drink before 2022.

Wine Enthusiast | 97 WE

Floral and acacia aromas, with lemongrass, sweet herb, juicy pear, wet stone and white pepper. Full-bodied and creamy in texture, but with exquisite brightness, balance and refinement, and a touch of nutmeg spice. The long finish reveals quince, fresh pineapple, lime and orange peel. Bring out lobster and butter. (Drink between 2021-2050)

Decanter | 97 DEC

The 2017 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc is very clearly one of the wines of the vintage. Rich, voluptuous and creamy, the 2017 has so much to offer. Citrus peel, white flowers and mint are all generous in the glass. More than that, the 2017 offers an interplay of tension and textural opulence that is incredibly appealing. The blend is 90% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Sémillon and 5% Sauvignon Gris.

Antonio Galloni | 96 AG

Juicy energy ripples from start to finish, with gooseberry, yellow apple, chamomile, tarragon and verbena notes giving this a tangy and flattering character. Reveals a long salted butter edge on the finish. Lovely now, but will fan out and become plumper with time. Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and Sauvignon Gris. Best from 2021 through 2030. 2,083 cases made.

Wine Spectator | 96 WS

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	White Bordeaux Blend : There is no question that red wine dominates the region of Bordeaux. With that being said, four million cases of white Bordeaux (Bordeaux Blanc) are produced each year, accounting for 10% of the region’s total production. Classic White Bordeaux Blends are perhaps the most overlooked white wines in the world today. The main varietals of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Muscadelle, each bring their trademark characteristics in the creation of ethereal quality whites. Classic blends are pale in color, with flashes of golden-green, and are characterized by aromas of citrus, grass and hay. An array of flavors of honeyed lemon, orange marmalade, dried apricot and preserved tropical flavors (depending on age) infiltrate the palate. When the wines are produced according to tradition and in line with appellation laws, a classic Bordeaux white wine will contain at least 25% Sauvignon Blanc to ensure aromatic freshness. Lighter-styled, aromatic wines will contain higher levels of Muscadelle, and for a richer, more cellar-worthy style, a higher proportion of Semillon is used. Perhaps the greatest expression of classic, dry white Bordeaux blends hails from the Pessac-Leognan and Graves appellations. Here, the terroir is characterized by many lightly-sloping low rises that ensure good drainage, facilitated by a network of small streams that act as natural drains. Soils are mostly comprised of river gravel deposits up to eight meters deep, left behind by the Garonne River on limestone bedrock. The gravel captures heat during the day and releases it into the soil at night aiding in the growth and vitality of the vine roots. It is also the hottest meso-climate of all Bordeaux appellations. Numerous producers in Pessac-Leognan make stellar white Bordeaux wine, but the undisputed king is Chateau Haut Brion Blanc. It combines intensity of flavor with rich textures, concentration, and complexity and has the ability to age for decades. Domaine de Chevalier, Smith Haut Lafitte and Malartic Lagraviere are also atop the pyramid of producing classic, dry white Bordeaux blends. These wines can rival the greatest whites in the world. The Left and Right Bank also produce white Bordeaux blends; however, due to AOC laws and guidelines on allowable varietals, the wines are produced and sold as generic Bordeaux Blanc. Cos d’Estournel in Saint Estephe (Left Bank) produces a blend of 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Semillon. In the Right Bank, Monbousquet Blanc is a terrific example of the dry, white blends of the appellation with its balance of 60% Sauvignon Blanc, 30% Sauvignon Gris and 5% each of Muscadelle and Semillon. They may be overshadowed by their red counterpart, but top-quality white Bordeaux blends are simply stunning, unique, sexy and luscious. Today, the quality of white Bordeaux wine has never been better.
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.
Region	Bordeaux : Even among the greatest and most reputable wine regions on the planet, Bordeaux stands above the rest. The winemakers of this region have a single-minded dedication to the fine art of viticulture and their efforts never fail to show. If you consider yourself a fine wine enthusiast, you owe it to yourself to visit Bordeaux - life changing. Whether you wish to drink some inspirational and gripping wine as soon as possible, or you want to add some masterpieces to your collection, no region on Earth is a more obvious choice. The noble and beautiful Garonne and Dordogne rivers surge through southwestern France, enriching the soil in a way very few other places can boast. The limestone-based earth is rich in calcium, and the almost oceanic climate conditions give the staple Bordeaux grape varietals vigor and flavor like nowhere else. For their illustrious reds, Bordeaux winemakers rely on a proven combination of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Meanwhile, a sip of their excellent white wine hints at the use of Semillon, Muscadelle and Sauvignon Blanc.Each of these varietals carries a unique identity, making every quality wine a character piece to rival Citizen Kane. It can be incredibly hard to choose only a few wines to collect for your cellar!
Subregion	Left Bank
Appellation	Pessac-Leognan

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.