{"title":"July 16: Newest Wines to Taste and Fall in Love With","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"chateau-smith-haut-lafitte-les-hauts-de-smith-blanc-bordeaux-france-2023","title":"Smith Haut Lafitte, 'Les Hauts de Smith' (Blanc), Bordeaux, France, 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eThanks to its 55 hectares of superb gravelly vineyards, Smith Haut Lafitte is often referred to as the \"archetypical Graves.\" The estate's history goes back to the Crusades, and a Scottish navigator, George Smith, who became the owner of the estate in the 18th century. He was followed by M. Duffour-Dubergier, Mayor of Bordeaux, and then Louis Eschenauer, a famous wine shipper.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1990, Daniel and Florence Cathiard also fell under the spell of this beautiful estate. Since then, they have restored the 16th century tower, renovated the 18th century manor house, built two underground cellars, went back to traditional vine growing methods without chemical herbicides and set up their own cooperage. The perfect elegance, excellent balance and fine structure of Smith Haut Lafitte's red and white wines are the ultimate reflection of the current owners' total commitment to quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWinemaker\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eFabien Teitgen\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e100% Sauvignon Blanc\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003ePessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003eMade from a blend of wines from Château Smith Haut Lafitte, Les Hauts de Smith are fermented and aged with just as much care as the Grand Vin. From the vineyard to the cellar, exactly the same winemaking techniques are used.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePale yellow color, fresh citrus notes on the nose. On the palate, fresh acidity, balanced, finishing with a light mineral touch.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e95 Points - James Suckling\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eA tangy and bright white with sliced lemon and light mango, as well as crushed stone and vivid energy. Medium body with a solid core of fruit and a long, flavorful finish. Purity and energy. 100% sauvignon blanc.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e93 Points - Jeb Dunnuck\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eAll Sauvignon, the 2023 Les Hauts De Smith Blanc is light gold-hued and has a rocking bouquet of ripe citrus, sappy herbs, tangerine, and even a hint of mint. It's beautifully balanced, medium-bodied, has bright acidity, and outstanding length, with the vintage's ripe fruit balanced by bright acidity.\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e92 Points - Falstaff\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eLight greenish yellow, silver reflections. Delicate yellow tropical fruit, notes of mango and guava, a hint of mandarin zest; an inviting, fruity bouquet. Medium body, fine white pear fruit, fresh structure, balanced, a versatile food wine.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e92 Points - Vinous\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eThe 2023 Les Hauts de Smith Blanc is soft, open-knit and ready to go. This is an especially creamy, unctuous vintage for the Blanc. Lemon \u003cem\u003econfit, \u003c\/em\u003ewhite flowers, white pepper, mint and tangerine peel appear with some air. Bright acids arrive on the finish to balance things out. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e91 Points - Wine Advocate\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eA 100% Sauvignon Blanc, the 2023 Les Hauts de Smith Blanc evokes aromas of white fruits, white flowers, citrus and verbena, followed by a medium-bodied, round and satiny palate with a juicy mid-palate and an ethereal, saline and mouthwatering finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e91 Points - Wine Independent\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eLes Hauts de Smith Blanc 2023 is 100% Sauvignon Blanc and it is aging in around 50% new oak barrels. It skips out of the glass with notes of fresh grapefruit, fresh pears, and lime leaves, followed by hints of wet pebbles and honeysuckle. Medium-bodied, the palate is refreshing, with a good intensity of citrusy flavors, finishing long and chalky. Nice!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct size:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e750ml\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Duclot","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51355825340721,"sku":null,"price":59.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/Chateau_Smith_Haut_Lafitte_Les_Hauts_de_Smith_Blanc_Bordeaux_France_2023.jpg?v=1747246638"},{"product_id":"storybook-mountain-mayacamas-range-zinfandel-napa-estate-california-2021","title":"Storybook Mountain Vineyards, Napa Estate \"Mayacamas Range\" Zinfandel, California, 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOverview of the Wine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eStorybook Mountain Vineyard is located at the top of Napa Valley, on an eastern slope of the Mayacamas Mountain Range whose ridges separate Napa from Sonoma counties. The land and the weather come together in unique ways in our vineyard, enabling us to craft award-winning wines from our organically farmed estate grapes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStorybook Mountain Vineyards, originally known as Grimm Vineyards and Wine Vaults, was founded in 1883 by Adam Grimm. Grimm purchased 400 acres of high-elevation land four miles north of Calistoga and planted extensive vineyards on the site. In 1889, he was joined by his brother Jacob – yes, “brothers Grimm”! – who helped Adam direct the Chinese laborers who dug three large caves for wine aging into the property’s mineral-rich volcanic rock.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring the 42 years since the Seps family purchased the estate, Storybook Mountain has earned distinction after distinction. In 1994, The United States Embassy in Stockholm, Sweden, poured Storybook Mountain Zinfandel to honor that year’s Nobel laureates. The wines have been served in the White House by three Presidents. In 2005, famed critic Robert Parker characterized Storybook as “representing the pinnacle of wine quality in California” and one of the six best Zinfandels in the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eToday, Jerry and Sigrid, along with their daughter and son-in-law, Colleen and Rick Williams, continue building an impressive legacy of world-class, artisan wines.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinemaker\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eColleen Williams\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrape \/ Blend\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eZinfandel\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eNapa Valley, California\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWinemaker's Tasting Notes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eThe Mayacamas Range Zinfandel is our primary estate wine from 100% Napa Valley organically grown grapes. Here you will find the varietal character and fruit for which Zinfandel is famous, the depth and structure associated with Napa hillside vineyards, and the balance for which Storybook wines are known. Crafted to be enjoyed on release, the wine’s notable depth and balance will continue its appeal well into the future.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e92 Points - James Suckling\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eThis is a classic California zinfandel with a warm, ripe-fruit character and intriguing nuances of wild sage, blackberries and sun-baked earth. Moderate tannins and supportive acidity keep it fresh and linear, and bode well for further aging. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct size: 750ml\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Storybook Mountain","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51447241539889,"sku":null,"price":36.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/Storybook_Mountain_Mayacamas_Range_Zinfandel_Napa_Estate_California_2021.jpg?v=1749150949"}],"url":"https:\/\/marchantofwine.com\/collections\/july-16-newest-wines-to-taste-and-fall-in-love-with.oembed","provider":"Merchant of Wine","version":"1.0","type":"link"}