Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte Le Petit Blanc 2020
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Robert
Parker -
James
Suckling - Decanter
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Blend: 80% Sauvignon Blanc, 20% Sémillon
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2020 Le Petit Haut Lafitte Blanc is made up of 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Sémillon, aging in 50% new barriques. It offers open-knit scents of fresh Bosc pears, lemongrass and green guava, plus hints of white pepper and wet slate. The medium-bodied palate is crisp and refreshing, delivering mouth-filling apple and lemon-inspired flavors with a satiny texture and zesty finish.
Barrel Sample: 91-93 -
James Suckling
A dense, layered white with cooked-apple, honey and lemon aromas and flavors. Layered and flavorful with a zingy, mineral finish. 80% sauvignon with 20% semillon.
Barrel Sample: 92-93 -
Decanter
A richer texture than the Hauts de Smith, less aromatic overall, one that is aimed more at the restaurant trade. The feel and form in the mouth is spherical but beautifully precise, it has weight through the mid palate with citrus fruits, white flowers and touch of bitterness on the finish of saffron and turmeric. 50% new oak.
Barrel Sample: 92
Other Vintages
2022-
James
Suckling -
Jeb
Dunnuck -
Robert
Parker - Decanter
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James
Suckling -
Jeb
Dunnuck -
Robert
Parker - Decanter
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.