Château Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc 2014

Château Smith Haut Lafitte is a Grand Cru Classé property within the Pessac-Léognan appellation that needs little to no introduction.  The stunning wines from this estate captivate many a drinker and critic alike, and their expressions of white Bordeaux are some of the finest in the Left Bank.The property hosts a long history in Bordeaux that dates back over 800 years.  It was initially a part of the Du Bosq holdings in the Graves region.  The Du Bosqs were the first to plant vines in 1365 in the graveled Lafitte plateau.  The property was purchased in 1720 by a man named George Smith, who named it after himself and that is how Château Smith Haut Lafitte received its name.  The property is presently owned by Daniel and Florence Cathiard.  The Cathiards purchased Château Smith Haut Lafitte in 1990, and that is 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 fact the vineyard was capable of producing both red and white wines.  The Cathiards made a series of sweeping changes to the estate and stopped the use of mechanical harvesting.  Instead, they handpicked the fruit.  They made changes to the sorting process, implementing two sorting passes to make sure only the choicest fruit get selected for the grand vin.   The Cathiards also invested a significant amount of funding in building their own cooperage, which allowed them to produce 70% of their own barrels.   They shifted farming practices towards sustainability, and the property is now considered a leader in that respect.  As of 2020, they received a Robert Parker Green Emblem for sustainable viticultural practices.  A mixture of tradition and technological innovation govern the winemaking practices at Château Smith Haut Lafitte.  It is one of the first properties to use Oenoview satellite imagery to find the optimum time to begin harvest in addition to using optical sorting technology. 

For white varietals, a mixture of Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris and Semillon thrive in these vineyards.  There are approximately 11 hectares of white varietals that are planted just behind the château to the North of the vineyard.  Some of the old vine Sauvignon Blanc is 70 years of age.  Interestingly enough, the white varietals thrive in cooler microclimates of this diverse terroir.  Native yeasts are used in vinifying, and the white varietals are farmed using a lot of biodynamic practices.  The wine is crystalline in its purity, with beautiful structure due to the slightly toasted French oak barrels that are made at the estates’ cooperage. The Cathiards have made the decision to hire Michel Rolland and Stephane Derenoncourt as consultants who guide the vinification process in the state-of-the-art gravity flow cellars.  There is plenty of experimentation in the vat room, and this results in a dynamic and complex wine.  Without a doubt, Château Smith Haut Lafitte is truly a classic, treasure of a white Bordeaux.

"90% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Sauvignon Gris, 5% Sémillon. Very rich, full and broad. Good acidity and undertow. Melons and grapefruit flavours but with a strong mineral element and the substance to develop." - Jancis Robinson, Rating 17/20

"The 2014 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc is nearly seamless, with striking textural depth and terrific overall balance. The typical Sauvignon aromatics are a bit buried by the intensity of the fruit. In 2014, the Blanc is a wine of richness and texture. Lemon confit, white flowers, chamomile and orchard fruit meld into the creamy, sensual finish. The blend is 90 % Sauvignon Blanc, 5 % Sémillon and 5 % Sauvignon Gris. Tasted two times." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media, Rating 94

"This is a great vintage for Smith Haut Lafitte white with focused flavors that are intense and quite concentrated on the palate. Flavors are intense, long on the finish with fresh acidity - all essential elements for long-term aging." - Jeannie Cho Lee, Rating 94