CHÂTEAU SMITH HAUT LAFITTE BLANC
2015 Cru Classé Pessac-Léognan
| Colour | White |
| Origin | France, Bordeaux |
| District | Left Bank |
| Sub-district | Graves |
| Village | Pessac-Léognan |
| Classification | Cru Classé |
| ABV | 13% |
90% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Sauvignon Gris and 5% Sémillon. Much richer than the second wine, although that is good too. Volume and punchy fatness, a sort of Meursault-like body and richness, and harmony too. It feels like a proper wine - all of a piece, one complete thing, in contrast to many of the whites this year which seem to have jangling elements which don't meld together. This year's wine celebrating the 25th Cathiard harvest, and the 650th anniversary of Smith Haut Lafitte since 1365'. Rating: 93-94 L&S (Apr 2016)
Alternatively, we may well have some bottles in one of our shops - why not give us a call on 0207 244 0522 or send an email to: sales@leaandsandeman.co.uk.
Or, check the RELATED PRODUCTS below for different vintages or wines of a similar style.
The 2015 Smith Haut-Lafitte Blanc has a fragrant bouquet of dried honey, white peach and light spicy aromas, unfurling with every swirl of the glass. The palate presents a slightly honeyed opening countered by acidity, but feels perhaps just a little too rich toward the second half. Tropical notes emerge on the finish. The balance is here and maybe this will give more with a couple of years in bottle. Tasted blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting. Drinking range: 2023 - 2045 Rating: 94 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Jul 2019)
In 2015 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc is rich, sumptuous and incredibly inviting, with no hard edges and fabulous balance. Even with all of its obvious intensity, the 2015 retains a good bit of freshness. Naturally, the 2015 leans toward the richer end of the spectrum in 2015, yet all of the signatures are very much in place. The aromatics aren't fully expressive. It will be interesting to see what time brings. Drinking range: 2018 - 2025 Rating: 95 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Feb 2018)
Rich cedary nose. Spicy and mealy and still bright with citrus fruit. Gorgeous and balanced. Full and long. Drinking range: 2018 - 2028 Rating: 17.5 Julia Harding MW, www.JancisRobinson.com (Nov 2017)
Château Smith Haut Lafitte
Owned by the Cathiard family since 1990, Smith Haut Lafitte has a history that extends back to 1365. Originally owned by the Bosq Family, it was bought by Scotsman George Smith in the eighteenth century, and he gave it his name. He also built the manor house, and shipped the wine back to England.
In 1842, it passed, from his mother, to a M. Duffour-Dubergier, who was mayor of Bordeaux. His work raised the quality level and it was classified Grand Cru in the 1855 classification. The 20th century was mostly about Louis Eschenauer and his company, which distibuted the wines and eventually bought the property in 1958, investing over the time and building the barrel cellar.
The Cathiards fell in love with Smith in 1990, and have lavished care and considerable investment on it since then. Daniel Cathiard was a former ski champion, a member of the famous French Olympic team that included Jean-Claude Killy, and it was at that time that he met his wife Florence. Both have impressive track records of running businesses. Daniel built up the small chain of supermarkets that he inherited, and added a chain of sports shops, the group employing nine thousand people. Florence worked with him and also ran her own advertising company, ending up in a senior position in the McCann group. In 1990 they sold all their business interests to concentrate on Smith, where they have lived since. One of their daughters runs the Caudalie beauty products company (products based on the polyphenols extracted from grape pips), and the other two boutique hotels, including the 'Sources de Caudalie', next to Smith.
The Cathiards have since bought Château Cantelys in Martillac, and also, in 2012, part of the vineyard of Château Le Thil, as well as the house and the park. More recently they have been involved in the consortium which bought Château Bearegard (Pomerol) and Château Bastor Lamontagne (Sauternes).
- For full delivery details see our Delivery page.
- We offer free nationwide* delivery for all orders over £150 with our own vans. We also offer an express delivery service for an additional charge.
- Order & Collect from any of our 5 London shops. Order by Midnight for collection the next working day from 11am.
- Private wine storage: we offer a full In Bond and Duty Paid private wine storage service - find out more here.
RELATED PRODUCTS
2021 BLANC DE LYNCH BAGES Château Lynch Bages
Bordeaux France 13% White
Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, Muscadelle.
Bright and crunchy white with layers of gooseberries, fennel, lemon grass and sea shells. White peach, too. Medium-bodied, bright and driven with linear character. Stony and saline at the end. 79% sauvignon blanc, 15% se...(read more)
James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com
2021 LE PETIT SMITH HAUT LAFITTE Blanc Pessac-Léognan
Bordeaux France 13% White
Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon.
The 2021 Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc has a more generous nose than the Les Hauts de Smith Blanc thanks to the contribution of the 20% Sémillon. Yellow plum, dried pineapple and slithers of white peach featur...(read more)
Neal Martin, www.vinous.comORDER COLLECT
ORDER ONLINE AND COLLECT FROM ONE OF OUR SHOPS