Château Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc, Pessac Léognan, 2025
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 2025 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc was picked early between August 20 and September 2. It was raised in 50% new oak, and has quite a discrete bouquet with white peach, Mirabelle, jasmine and light pressed flower aromas. The palate is very well balanced with a rounded texture, a little more weight and density than other whites that I have tasted, quite peppery towards the finish and lingering in the mouth. This is a great success in the context of a warm vintage.
Fabien Teitgen and Tracey Dobbin have indicated that they would prefer I not taste the 2025 vintage, noting that my recent assessments diverge from those of several other critics and that, in the current market context, published scores can have an immediate impact on both perception and commercial positioning. In light of this, I will refrain from tasting the Smith Haut Lafitte 2025 Blanc for publication. I remain, of course, available to taste the wines, and readers who wish to form their own judgment can refer to my recent reviews.
The 2025 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc is superb. Rich, creamy and expansive on the palate, with fabulous balance, the 2025 is seriously impressive and very delicious. Dried pear, acacia, chamomile and white pepper open beautifully. The Blanc is quite delicate at first, but it gains breadth through the mid-palate and into the finish. Impeccable.