Château Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc, Pessac Léognan, 2017
Smith Blanc (90% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Sémillon, 5% Sauvignon Gris) showed extremely well in Bordeaux, demonstrating a similar cut and drive to Petit Smith Blanc but with a beautifully creamy, waxy texture on the mid-palate. Again, dominated by stone fruits, but turned up to 11. Peach and apricot, blanched almonds and ground nutmeg, amplified by oyster shell, beeswax and white pepper. There is impressive grip and texture to the finish which has a little stem ginger sweetness, spice character and a moreish sea salt lift.
critic reviews
The 2017 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc has a really enticing bouquet with Granny Smith apples, Mirabelle, freshly sliced pear and light, flinty aromas. There is plenty of energy here, perhaps even more than the following vintage. The palate is medium-bodied with pretty orange rind and tangerine notes on the entry. This is very focused and full of tension, the finish quite saline with impressive persistency.