In the glass
Aroma: honeyed grapefruit, crushed stone, lemon zest, elderflower, white blossom
Palate: orange blossom, citrus juice, green apple, white peach, mineral salinity
A consistently top-rated Pessac-Leognan white dominated by Sauvignon Blanc with distinctive Sauvignon Gris character. Honeyed grapefruit, crushed stone, and elderflower on the nose; vibrant citrus and mineral freshness on the palate. Frequently earns 95-98 points in recent vintages.
What it pairs with
-
Steamed Arcachon oysters
The wine's mineral-saline drive and citrus precision align with the briny sweetness of Atlantic oysters. -
Grilled langoustines with herb butter
Sweet crustacean and herbed butter find a partner in the wine's elderflower and citrus freshness. -
Coquilles Saint-Jacques with saffron cream
Saffron echoes the wine's stone-fruit register while sweet scallop complements its mineral depth. -
Chevre frais with lemon and herbs
Classic Sauvignon Blanc and goat's cheese pairing; the wine's citrus acidity amplifies the fresh cheese tang.
How to serve Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc
Allow 35 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 30 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 10-12°C. Cellar temperature (10-12°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a medium-sized white-wine glass. The bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Steamed Arcachon oysters, Grilled langoustines with herb butter, Coquilles Saint-Jacques with saffron cream. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
The white wine of Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte came into prominence alongside the red after the Cathiard acquisition in 1990. Dominated by Sauvignon Blanc (unusual for Pessac-Leognan whites, which more typically lean toward Semillon), the wine has drawn strong critical reception in recent vintages (reviewer-points tuples on scores array).
- 1990 — Cathiard family begin modern era; white wine quality elevated alongside red
- 2000 — Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc establishes itself among the top Pessac-Leognan whites
Facts
- Producer
- Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte
- Grapes
- Sauvignon Blanc (90%), Sauvignon Gris (5%), Semillon (5%)
- Classification
- Cru Classe de Graves (white); Pessac-Leognan AOC
- Oak
- 45% new French oak; 12 months; partial barrel fermentation
- ABV
- 13.8%
- Price
- EUR 90-140 at retail
- Drinking window
- 5-15 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1990
- Biodynamic
- Biodynamic Practicing
- Organic
- ECOCERT
Scores
- Wine Advocate 95 (2022 vintage, reviewed 2023)
- Decanter 96 (2022 vintage, reviewed 2023)
- Wine Advocate 97 (2019 vintage, reviewed 2022)
Frequently asked about Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc
What does Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc taste like?
On the nose, honeyed grapefruit, crushed stone, lemon zest, elderflower, white blossom. On the palate, orange blossom, citrus juice, green apple, white peach, mineral salinity. Structurally full-bodied, high acidity with a long finish. A consistently top-rated Pessac-Leognan white dominated by Sauvignon Blanc with distinctive Sauvignon Gris character. Honeyed grapefruit, crushed stone, and elderflower on the nose; vibrant citrus and mineral freshness on the palate. Frequently earns 95-98 points in recent vintages.
When should I drink Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc?
Drink 5-15 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc?
Steamed Arcachon oysters is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Grilled langoustines with herb butter and Coquilles Saint-Jacques with saffron cream. The wine's mineral-saline drive and citrus precision align with the briny sweetness of Atlantic oysters.
What grapes are in Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc?
The blend is Sauvignon Blanc (90%), Sauvignon Gris (5%), Semillon (5%). The wine is classified as Cru Classe de Graves (white); Pessac-Leognan AOC.