Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc (Futures Pre-Sale) 2009
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Robert
Parker -
Wine
Enthusiast -
James
Suckling -
Wine
Spectator
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Smith-Haut-Lafitte hit a home run with their red Pessac-Leognan and came very close to perfection with their dry white Graves. Possibly the best dry white the estate has produced since the proprietors, the Cathiards, acquired the property in 1990, this wine exhibits a sensational fragrance of buttered citrus, honeyed melons and a touch of grapefruit, lemon zest and orange rind. It also displays grapefruit on the attack and mid-palate as well as real opulence, terrific acidity and length. Drink it over the next 15-20 years. Astonishing!
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Wine Enthusiast
Finely balanced wine, just the right fresh, herbaceous fruit to go with the ripe, fat texture and a delicious squeeze of lemon. Ginger adds to the mix.
Barrel Sample: 93-95 Points -
James Suckling
Wonderful aromas of flowers and berries. Subtle. Full and rich with silky tannins and a rich finish. This is compacted and gorgeous. Impressed.
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Wine Spectator
This is really gorgeous, with creamed Meyer lemon, meringue and lime chiffon notes leading the way, backed by pure salted butter, straw and warm shortbread flavors. Long and rich, yet detailed and focused through the finish. Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and Sauvignon Gris. Drink now through 2022. 2,500 cases made.
Thanks 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.
In 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.