2019 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc

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Type of Wine | White |
---|---|
Country | France |
Region | |
Appellation | Pessac-Léognan |
Winery | Chateau Smith Haut-Lafitte |
Vintage | 2019 |
Grape | , |
Content (Alc) | 0.75 ltr (13.5%) |
Drink window | 2022 - 2035 |
Low Stock
Only 5 left
Description
White Bordeaux are becoming more and more popular and this is certainly due to, among others, Smith Haut Lafite because they make a very serious white wine. The 2019 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc reflects the estate's commitment to making more structured, well-aging white wines. With aromas of gooseberry, nectarine, mint and lemongrass, mixed with hints of pastry cream, almond paste and smoke, it is a full-bodied wine with a satin and crisp texture. The initial taste transitions into a meaty but promising tightly wound mid-palate, ending with a salty aftertaste. As usual, the blend contains a small percentage of Sauvignon Gris, which adds more dry extracts to the whole.
FACT: In the 'Attachments' tab you will find the official fact sheet of this beautiful wine. We will send this to you automatically when you order this wine. The wine is stored in our conditioned Wine Warehouse and when you pick up the wine you will often receive a nice discount . You will see your discount immediately when you choose 'Collect' on the checkout page. We are located in Dordrecht almost next to the A16 with plenty of parking. Click here for our address.
ABOUT SMITH HAUT LAFITTE
Château Smith Haut Lafitte is a Grand Cru Classé property within the Pessac-Léognan appellation that needs little to no introduction. The wines from this estate fascinate many drinkers and critic, and the versatility of this remarkable terroir is to be celebrated. It is one of the few estates in Bordeaux that produces red, white and rosé wines of excellent quality. The property has a long history in Bordeaux dating back more than 800 years. It was initially part of the Du Bosq property in the Graves region. The Du Bosqs were the first to plant vines on the gravel plateau of Lafitte in 1365. The property was purchased in 1720 by a man named George Smith, who named it after himself and thus Château Smith Haut Lafitte got its name. The property is currently owned by Daniel and Florence Cathiard. The Cathiards purchased Château Smith Haut Lafitte in 1990, and that's when the true story of this estate begins.
Prior to the Cathiards' involvement, Château Smith Haut Lafitte was not a well-known wine producer. The Cathiards purchased Château Smith Haut Lafitte because they were intrigued by the vineyard's ability to produce both red and white wines. The Cathiards made a series of major changes to the estate and discontinued the use of mechanical harvesting. Instead, they picked the fruit by hand. The Cathiards also invested a significant amount of money in building their own cooperage, which allowed them to produce 70% of their own barrels. They have shifted agricultural practices toward sustainability, and the property is now considered a leader in that regard. As of 2020, they received a Robert Parker Green Emblem for sustainable viticultural practices. A blend of tradition and technological innovation governs the winemaking practices at Château Smith Haut Lafitte. It is one of the first properties to use Oenoview satellite imagery to find the optimal time to start harvesting in addition to using optical sorting technology.
The Cathiards have made the decision to employ Michel Rolland and Stephane Derenoncourt as consultants to supervise the vinification process in the state-of-the-art gravity flow cellars. A lot of experimentation takes place in the barrel room, resulting in a dynamic and complex wine. The Les Hauts de Smith Rosé is an excellent, affordable wine that exceeds in quality. This Bordeaux rosé is slightly fruitier than its Provencal cousins, but that doesn't mean it isn't bone dry, with a pleasant thirst-quenching acidity. With a beautiful salmon color that shimmers in the glass, this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot is a delicious rosé that is perfect for warm summer evenings.
Specifications
Type of Wine | White |
---|---|
Country | France |
Region | Bordeaux |
Appellation | Pessac-Léognan |
Winery | Chateau Smith Haut-Lafitte |
Grape | Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon |
Biological certified | No |
Natural wine | No |
Vegan | No |
Vintage | 2019 |
Drinking as of | 2022 |
Drinking till | 2035 |
Alcohol % | 13.5 |
Alcohol free/low | No |
Content | 0.75 ltr |
Oak aging | No |
Sparkling | No |
Dessert wine | No |
Closure | Cork |
Parker rating | 95 |
James Suckling rating | 97 |
Vinous rating | 100 |
Tasting Profiles | Droog, Fris, Fruitig, Houtgerijpt, Mineraal, Strak, Wit fruit |
Drink moments | Lekker luxe, Met vrienden |
Professional Reviews
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP 95
Reviewed by:
William Kelley
Release Price:
NA
Drink Date:
2021 - 2035
The 2019 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc has turned out very well in bottle, reflecting the estate's volition to craft more structured, age-worthy whites. Offering up aromas of gooseberry, nectarine, mint and lemongrass mingled with hints of pastry cream, almond paste and smoke, it's full-bodied, satiny and incisive, with a textural attack that segues into a fleshy but promisingly tightly wound mid-palate, concluding with a saline finish. As usual, the blend features a small percentage of Sauvignon Gris, which brings more dry extract to the ensemble.
“It is difficult in Bordeaux to have both high acidity and good ripeness,” began Château Smith Haut Lafitte’s technical director, Fabien Teitgen. “But this year you have both. Cool nights preserved the acidity nicely. Overall, 2019 was cooler than in 2018. We have the impression that 2019 was hot, but it was generally cooler. The wines are fresher and brighter. 2018 is powerful, but 2019 has intensity.”
As an organic grower, Smith Haut Lafitte was one of the châteaux that got hit hard in 2018 with the mildew. “In 2018, we lost half the crop,” Teitgen confessed. “In 2019, we had no problems, in fact. The yields were normal for us.”
“We have the opposition of two weather systems during the growing season,” he went on to say. “The first part—June / July—was warm and dry. Our young vines had a bit of water stress at the end of July. Then in August and September, we had cooler temperatures. At the beginning of August, I had a map of the vineyard showing the depth of the roots. It was clear that the old vines with deep roots did much better.”
Technically speaking, Tietgen noted that the acids were a bit higher in 2019. “The quantity of tannins is very similar to 2018,” he said. “But the texture is different. We had a strong synthesis of tannins, small berries—no need to extract too much, just wait with the infusion.”
Smith Haut Lafitte’s 2019 red may not have quite the same “wow” factor as the 2018, but I suspect that because of its increased freshness and slightly brighter style, there are many consumers who will actually prefer the 2019. The 2019 SHL Blanc is another story though—wow-o-WOW that is good!
Certified organic with the 2019 vintage, this year marks a waypoint—rather than a stopping point—in Smith Haut Lafitte's agronomic journey. The Cathiard family banished herbicides at this address in 1991, radically reducing chemical treatments and suffering the consequences for several years in the form of much diminished yields (today, happily, materiel and techniques are more sophisticated). In addition to organic methods, cover crops have been deployed on the vineyard's central blocks and western band, where soils are less well drained. Hedges have been planted to encourage biodiversity, and ultraviolet treatments are being trialed as an alternative to copper sulfate. In addition to such initiatives, the technical team is adapting to a warmer climate: that means picking a touch earlier, certainly, but more importantly, adapting in the vineyards, with somewhat lower canopies and an end to deleafing to retain fresh, vibrant flavors. Winemaking, too, is a little gentler: cool but protracted macerations, with periodic punch-downs, for reds and whole-cluster pressing with an inerted press for whites. This has brought new structural elegance and energy to the estate's wines. It surely helps that as much as possible is done in-house: since 1995, the Cathiards have their own nursery for their own massale selections, in partnership with Bérillon, and barrels are made in the château's own on-site cooperage too, favoring the forests of Tronçais and Jupilles for reds, Loches (which brings tension) for whites. All this is symptomatic of the attention to detail and seriousness that the Cathiards, and their technical director Fabien Teitgen, have brought to this estate; and the result, in 2019, is one of the finest wines they've produced to date.
Published: Apr 07, 2022
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
James Suckling
CHÂTEAU SMITH-HAUT-LAFITTE PESSAC-LEOGNAN BLANC 2019
Thursday, March 3, 2022
CountryFrance
RegionBordeaux
Vintage2019
CHECK PRICE
DOWNLOAD SHELFTALKER
Score
97
Aromas of dried apples, pears and peaches with crushed stones. Fresh flowers, such as lilacs. Full-bodied with layers of fruit and a fresh, creamy palate that continues on for minutes. A refined, precise, and polished Smith. Tight at the end. Needs two or three years to open.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Vinous
No written review available.
Exclusive Content
Sign in to unlock professional wine reviews from world-renowned critics
White Bordeaux are becoming more and more popular and this is certainly due to, among others, Smith Haut Lafite because they make a very serious white wine. The 2019 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc reflects the estate's commitment to making more structured, well-aging white wines. With aromas of gooseberry, nectarine, mint and lemongrass, mixed with hints of pastry cream, almond paste and smoke, it is a full-bodied wine with a satin and crisp texture. The initial taste transitions into a meaty but promising tightly wound mid-palate, ending with a salty aftertaste. As usual, the blend contains a small percentage of Sauvignon Gris, which adds more dry extracts to the whole.
FACT: In the 'Attachments' tab you will find the official fact sheet of this beautiful wine. We will send this to you automatically when you order this wine. The wine is stored in our conditioned Wine Warehouse and when you pick up the wine you will often receive a nice discount . You will see your discount immediately when you choose 'Collect' on the checkout page. We are located in Dordrecht almost next to the A16 with plenty of parking. Click here for our address.
ABOUT SMITH HAUT LAFITTE
Château Smith Haut Lafitte is a Grand Cru Classé property within the Pessac-Léognan appellation that needs little to no introduction. The wines from this estate fascinate many drinkers and critic, and the versatility of this remarkable terroir is to be celebrated. It is one of the few estates in Bordeaux that produces red, white and rosé wines of excellent quality. The property has a long history in Bordeaux dating back more than 800 years. It was initially part of the Du Bosq property in the Graves region. The Du Bosqs were the first to plant vines on the gravel plateau of Lafitte in 1365. The property was purchased in 1720 by a man named George Smith, who named it after himself and thus Château Smith Haut Lafitte got its name. The property is currently owned by Daniel and Florence Cathiard. The Cathiards purchased Château Smith Haut Lafitte in 1990, and that's when the true story of this estate begins.
Prior to the Cathiards' involvement, Château Smith Haut Lafitte was not a well-known wine producer. The Cathiards purchased Château Smith Haut Lafitte because they were intrigued by the vineyard's ability to produce both red and white wines. The Cathiards made a series of major changes to the estate and discontinued the use of mechanical harvesting. Instead, they picked the fruit by hand. The Cathiards also invested a significant amount of money in building their own cooperage, which allowed them to produce 70% of their own barrels. They have shifted agricultural practices toward sustainability, and the property is now considered a leader in that regard. As of 2020, they received a Robert Parker Green Emblem for sustainable viticultural practices. A blend of tradition and technological innovation governs the winemaking practices at Château Smith Haut Lafitte. It is one of the first properties to use Oenoview satellite imagery to find the optimal time to start harvesting in addition to using optical sorting technology.
The Cathiards have made the decision to employ Michel Rolland and Stephane Derenoncourt as consultants to supervise the vinification process in the state-of-the-art gravity flow cellars. A lot of experimentation takes place in the barrel room, resulting in a dynamic and complex wine. The Les Hauts de Smith Rosé is an excellent, affordable wine that exceeds in quality. This Bordeaux rosé is slightly fruitier than its Provencal cousins, but that doesn't mean it isn't bone dry, with a pleasant thirst-quenching acidity. With a beautiful salmon color that shimmers in the glass, this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot is a delicious rosé that is perfect for warm summer evenings.
Type of Wine | White |
---|---|
Country | France |
Region | Bordeaux |
Appellation | Pessac-Léognan |
Winery | Chateau Smith Haut-Lafitte |
Grape | Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon |
Biological certified | No |
Natural wine | No |
Vegan | No |
Vintage | 2019 |
Drinking as of | 2022 |
Drinking till | 2035 |
Alcohol % | 13.5 |
Alcohol free/low | No |
Content | 0.75 ltr |
Oak aging | No |
Sparkling | No |
Dessert wine | No |
Closure | Cork |
Parker rating | 95 |
James Suckling rating | 97 |
Vinous rating | 100 |
Tasting Profiles | Droog, Fris, Fruitig, Houtgerijpt, Mineraal, Strak, Wit fruit |
Drink moments | Lekker luxe, Met vrienden |
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP 95
Reviewed by:
William Kelley
Release Price:
NA
Drink Date:
2021 - 2035
The 2019 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc has turned out very well in bottle, reflecting the estate's volition to craft more structured, age-worthy whites. Offering up aromas of gooseberry, nectarine, mint and lemongrass mingled with hints of pastry cream, almond paste and smoke, it's full-bodied, satiny and incisive, with a textural attack that segues into a fleshy but promisingly tightly wound mid-palate, concluding with a saline finish. As usual, the blend features a small percentage of Sauvignon Gris, which brings more dry extract to the ensemble.
“It is difficult in Bordeaux to have both high acidity and good ripeness,” began Château Smith Haut Lafitte’s technical director, Fabien Teitgen. “But this year you have both. Cool nights preserved the acidity nicely. Overall, 2019 was cooler than in 2018. We have the impression that 2019 was hot, but it was generally cooler. The wines are fresher and brighter. 2018 is powerful, but 2019 has intensity.”
As an organic grower, Smith Haut Lafitte was one of the châteaux that got hit hard in 2018 with the mildew. “In 2018, we lost half the crop,” Teitgen confessed. “In 2019, we had no problems, in fact. The yields were normal for us.”
“We have the opposition of two weather systems during the growing season,” he went on to say. “The first part—June / July—was warm and dry. Our young vines had a bit of water stress at the end of July. Then in August and September, we had cooler temperatures. At the beginning of August, I had a map of the vineyard showing the depth of the roots. It was clear that the old vines with deep roots did much better.”
Technically speaking, Tietgen noted that the acids were a bit higher in 2019. “The quantity of tannins is very similar to 2018,” he said. “But the texture is different. We had a strong synthesis of tannins, small berries—no need to extract too much, just wait with the infusion.”
Smith Haut Lafitte’s 2019 red may not have quite the same “wow” factor as the 2018, but I suspect that because of its increased freshness and slightly brighter style, there are many consumers who will actually prefer the 2019. The 2019 SHL Blanc is another story though—wow-o-WOW that is good!
Certified organic with the 2019 vintage, this year marks a waypoint—rather than a stopping point—in Smith Haut Lafitte's agronomic journey. The Cathiard family banished herbicides at this address in 1991, radically reducing chemical treatments and suffering the consequences for several years in the form of much diminished yields (today, happily, materiel and techniques are more sophisticated). In addition to organic methods, cover crops have been deployed on the vineyard's central blocks and western band, where soils are less well drained. Hedges have been planted to encourage biodiversity, and ultraviolet treatments are being trialed as an alternative to copper sulfate. In addition to such initiatives, the technical team is adapting to a warmer climate: that means picking a touch earlier, certainly, but more importantly, adapting in the vineyards, with somewhat lower canopies and an end to deleafing to retain fresh, vibrant flavors. Winemaking, too, is a little gentler: cool but protracted macerations, with periodic punch-downs, for reds and whole-cluster pressing with an inerted press for whites. This has brought new structural elegance and energy to the estate's wines. It surely helps that as much as possible is done in-house: since 1995, the Cathiards have their own nursery for their own massale selections, in partnership with Bérillon, and barrels are made in the château's own on-site cooperage too, favoring the forests of Tronçais and Jupilles for reds, Loches (which brings tension) for whites. All this is symptomatic of the attention to detail and seriousness that the Cathiards, and their technical director Fabien Teitgen, have brought to this estate; and the result, in 2019, is one of the finest wines they've produced to date.
Published: Apr 07, 2022
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
James Suckling
CHÂTEAU SMITH-HAUT-LAFITTE PESSAC-LEOGNAN BLANC 2019
Thursday, March 3, 2022
CountryFrance
RegionBordeaux
Vintage2019
CHECK PRICE
DOWNLOAD SHELFTALKER
Score
97
Aromas of dried apples, pears and peaches with crushed stones. Fresh flowers, such as lilacs. Full-bodied with layers of fruit and a fresh, creamy palate that continues on for minutes. A refined, precise, and polished Smith. Tight at the end. Needs two or three years to open.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Vinous
No written review available.
Exclusive Content
Sign in to unlock professional wine reviews from world-renowned critics