Wine Advisor
Smith Haut Lafitte, Blanc 2010
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Tasted blind at the Southwold Bordeaux 2010 tasting. The Chateau Smith Haut-Lafitte Blanc has a comparatively subtle bouquet with peach skin and nectarine scents, nicely defined but perhaps needing a little more vigour. The palate is a little simple compared to its peers, more backward and reticent, with green apple and shaved ginger towards the somewhat conservative finish. This is ageing beautifully in bottle - one of the finest Bordeaux whites of the vintage. Tasted January 2014.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Another phenomenal wine from the Cathiards, this rich 2010 exhibits lemon custard, melon, tropical fruit and a touch of smoky oak. It should last 20+ years.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc 2010 is a blend of 90% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Sauvignon Gris and 5% Semillon picked from 2nd September. At the Chateau it has a rather understated, almost earthy nose at first with dried white flowers and a mote of chalk dust, but at the UGC it is much more vivacious with a silver thread of citrus peel. The palate is well-balanced on the entry, fine citrus lemon, grapefruit and just a hint of spice, good weight and quite linear towards the finish but great persistency. Very fine, but showing much better under the sunshine. Tasted April 2011.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
A stunning wine with hints of pineapple, caramelized citrus, mandarin oranges, smoky figs and hazelnuts, this is a full-bodied, rich, superb white Graves from the Cathiard family. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2035.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
This is even better than the 2007, which was great. I love the racy and complexity to this young white with honey, apple pie, tropical fruits and hints of vanilla cream. It’s full and very rich yet balanced and structured. Lovely backbone of bright acidity. About 90% Sauvignon Blanc with the rest in Sauvignon Gris and Semillon
About the Producer
Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte is located in the village of Martillac in the Pessac-Leognan appellation, south of Bordeaux, France, and is a Grand Cru of the Graves appellation. The Château Smith Haut Lafitte complex is quite large, with a château, winery and large underground cellars, as well as a sizeable resort hotel (Les Sources de Caudalie), the Caudalie Vinotherapie Spa, the Caudalie restaurant, and the gardens, water and wine garden. The courtyard also features gardens, flowing water and a number of artistic sculptures, including a sculpture by Barry Flanagan called "The Flying Rabbit", as well as wonderful works by Chinese sculptor Huang Yongping and Italian artist Mimmo Paladino, among others. The Smith Haut Lafitte winery Smithers Lafitte has 78 hectares of vineyards planted with 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, while the white varieties include 90% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Petit Verdot. Sauvignon Blanc, 5% of Sauvignon Gris and 5% of Semillon. The average age of the red vines is 38 years and the average age of the white vines is 40 years. The wines are fermented in stainless steel tanks or in large oak barrels, depending on the variety and the plot. After fermentation, the red wines are aged for 18 months in 60% new barrels and the white wines for 12 months in 50% new barrels. The wines are not filtered before bottling and have a unique, slightly smoky aroma that fully reflects the true nature of the Graves origin. The winery is currently being upgraded and will be 100% gravity-fed when the renovation is complete. The grapes are harvested at perfect ripeness, gently broken and fermented to extract the smoothest and softest tannins and flavours, and the wine is then aged for several years to reveal its qualities: crisp and complex aromas, balanced and full-bodied, elegant and firm on the palate. Currently, Château Smith Lafitte produces six wines: one red and one white, one red and one white, two secondary wines called Le Petit Haut Lafitte, and one red and one white, two tertiary wines called "Les Hauts de Smith". Château Smith Lafitte has stabilised in recent years, receiving high ratings from critics and the press in several vintages, and has been well received by the market. The top vintages of the winery into the 20th century are 2005, 2009, 2010, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
