{"product_id":"chateau-smith-haut-lafitte-blanc-pessac-leognan-bordeaux-france-2020","title":"Château Smith Haut Lafitte, Blanc, Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux, France, 2020","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\u003e90% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Sauvignon Gris, 5% Sémillon\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\u003eThe wine is pale yellow. The nose is already very expressive with notes of yellow fruits (peach, apricot),\u003cbr\u003ewhite flowers (acacias, orange blossom), and a beautiful elegance of citrus fruits. The aromatic on the palate is similar to the one on the nose with yellow fruits, floral notes, and we perceive a greater complexity with more mineral, spicy notes while flint stones give the signature of our great terroir.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e97 Points - James Suckling\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAromas of grapefruit, melon, ripe apple, and lemon. Lots of lemon curd as well. Full and layered with plenty of fine phenolics. Energetic and vivid. Minerally and lightly chewy at the end. From organic grapes. 90% sauvignon blanc, 5% sauvignon gris and 5% semillon.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e96 Points - Wine Independent\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eThe 2020 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc is composed of 90% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Semillon, and 5% Sauvignon Gris, aged in 50% new oak. It needs a little coaxing to bring out fragrant notions of fresh grapefruit, green mango, and nectarines, giving way to hints of honeysuckle, mandarin peel, cedar, and paraffin wax. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers intense citrus and tropical fruit flavors with a silky texture and crisp line defining the fruit, finishing on a lingering chalky note.\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003e94 Points - Falstaff\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLight yellow-green with silver reflections. Fresh lime, a touch of mint, white tropical fruit, and floral nuances. Juicy, subtle peppermint, white apple, discreet acid structure, lemony-salty finish, mineral and persistent – an individualistic style.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e94 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eA strong effort, the 2020 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc wafts from the glass with aromas of nectarine, pear, lemongrass, Sauvignon botanicals, toasted bread and baking spices. Medium to full-bodied, satiny and layered, it's rich and concentrated, with ripe acids and chalky structuring extract. It's not quite as vibrant and precise as the 2019, but it's a success nonetheless.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e94 Points - Vinous\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eThe 2020 Smith Haut-Lafitte Blanc has an appealing, well-defined bouquet, the oak neatly integrated, with a touch more \u003cem\u003emineralite\u003c\/em\u003e than its peers. The palate is well balanced with a lovely, slightly viscous texture on the entry. Hints of nougat and white pepper build in the glass, and there's plenty of energy through the long finish. This is very classy. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.\u003c\/span\u003e\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":51011048145201,"sku":null,"price":210.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0275\/0441\/0666\/files\/Chateau_Smith_Haut_Lafitte_Blanc_Pessac-Leognan_Bordeaux_France_2020.jpg?v=1742653707","url":"https:\/\/marchantofwine.com\/products\/chateau-smith-haut-lafitte-blanc-pessac-leognan-bordeaux-france-2020","provider":"Merchant of Wine","version":"1.0","type":"link"}