Staff Notes:

"Lastly, and pure perfection in white wine, the 2020 Château Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc is based on 90% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Sauvignon Gris and 5% Semillon that was aged in 50% new oak. This massively rich, concentrated, powerful white offers a heavenly nose of honeyed flowers, orange marmalade, lemon grass, and toasted bread, with a building sense of salinity and minerality that shows on the finish. Drink this stunningly rich, layered, concentrated 2020 over the coming two decades."100, Jeb Dunnuck, Mar 2023

“Aromas of grapefruit, melon, ripe apple, and lemon. Lots of lemon curd as well. Full and layered with plenty of fine phenolics. Energetic and vivid. Minerally and lightly chewy at the end. From organic grapes. 90% sauvignon blanc, 5% sauvignon gris and 5% semillon.” 97, James Suckling, Mar 2023 

“This brings together depth and power, concentrated and hugely saline right from the start. Rich in texture, with layers of stone fruits from nectarines to white peaches, with a steely edge that squeezes through the fruit, holds interest and adds persistency. A delicious white wine with the point of bitterness on the finish adding another dimension. Average yields 29hl/ha for the whites. 50% new oak. Harvest started August 20, one of earliest on record, through to September 9th. Certified organic (AB) as of 2019 in the vineyard.” 96 Points Jane Anson, Decanter

“The 2020 Smith Haut-Lafitte Blanc has an appealing, well-defined bouquet, the oak neatly integrated, with a touch more mineralité than its peers. The palate is well balanced with a lovely, slightly viscous texture on the entry. Hints of nougat and white pepper build in the glass, and there’s plenty of energy through the long finish. This is very classy. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.” 94+, Neal Martin, Vinous, Jan 2024