Château Smith Haut Lafitte white - Pessac-Léognan 2016

Bettane & Desseauve

96 / 100

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/3/2017

Grand arôme de fruits blancs, séveux, large et long, beau raisin mûr en évidence et grand naturel.

Wine Advocate

93-95 / 100

byNeal Martinthe5/2/2017

The Smith-Haut-Lafitte 2016 Blanc is the classic blend of 90% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Sauvignon Gris and 5% Sémillon, picked from 12 to 24 September and matured in 50% new oak. It has a complex bouquet with citrus fruit, peach skin, lemon curd and a touch of lanolin that unfolds wonderfully in the glass. The palate is very well balanced with a touch of wild honey on the entry. There is a spicy vein to this white Pessac-Léognan with a dab of ginger enlivening the refreshingly feisty finish. Bon vin!

Wine Spectator

92-95 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/28/2017

Bright and engaging, with a nice crackle of fleur de sel along the edges of the salted butter, white peach and chamomile core. There's a flash of shortbread on the finish, but it hangs well back for now. Really good freshness for the vintage.—J.M.

The Wine Cellar Insider

94 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/27/2017

White peach, honeysuckle, pie crust and lemon curd aromatics are all over the place. The wine is concentrated, the fruit is sweet and juicy, but a but more lift would have made this really rock. The wine was produced from a blend of 90% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Sauvignon Gris and 5% Semillon, reaching 14% alcohol with a pH of 3.2.

Vinous

92-95 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe4/26/2017

The 2016 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc is a deep, powerful white that seems to bring together the richness of a warm vintage with the freshness and energy of a cooler year. If that sounds appealing, well, it is. The 2016 is powerful and phenolic, with terrific overall balance and tons of personality. The lemon peel, grapefruit, slate and white flower overtones are brisk and mouthwatering in the glass. The 2016 Blanc is without question one of the most promising whites of the vintage. Tasted two times.

Decanter.com

94 / 100

byJane Ansonthe4/25/2017

This grips you from the first moment, a significant and striking jump up in quality when you get to this grand vin, representing 55% of white production. Rich and controlled, this fills out on the-mid palate with lime and lemon zest, then floods it with gentle saffron spicing and grilled almonds, full of the SHL signature richness and control. Stephane Derenoncourt and Michel Rolland both consult. 90% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Sémillon and 5% Sauvignon Gris. Drinking Window 2020 - 2040

Jancis Robinson

17 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe4/25/2017

Heady, spicy, deep flavoured and a great exhibition of what makes excellent dry white bordeaux distinctive and delicious. Lanolin and rich lemon syrup notes but very fresh and long on the finish. Perhaps not the most intense vintage of this wine but I would happily drink this now. Drink 2017-2024

matthewjukes.com

18,5 / 20

byMatthew Jukesthe4/25/2017

(90 Sauvignon Blanc, 5 Sauvignon Gris, 5 Semillon) | 50% new oak Very complex, layered and stylish, this is a nougat and lemon balm-scented wine with superb balance and tension. It has the power to live for twenty years. The acidity is sensational and it more than copes with the exuberant fruit. By comparison to the larger 2015, this is a leaner wine and I think that the tension is even more strict and vital making it a finer wine. 18.5++

Le Figaro

19,5 / 20

byBernard Burtschythe4/20/2017

Florence et Daniel Cathiard réussissent un doublé gagnant. Le blanc est particulièrement majestueux.

Wine Enthusiast

94-96 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/19/2017

Barrel Sample. This wine is already beautiful. With spice, great swathes of lemon and crisp apple fruit, it is structured while also immediately appealing in its elegant purity. It will develop over many years; try to wait until 2025.

Jamessuckling.com

96-97 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/5/2017

A dense and powerful white with wonderful depth and phenolic tension. Shows very pretty sliced-apple, lemon and pear character. Excellent finish. 90% sauvignon blanc with the rest semillon and sauvignon gris. Excellent follow-up to the 2015.