Smith Haut Lafitte blanc - Pessac-Léognan 2023
Château Smith Haut Lafitte, a cru that lives in symbiosis with Nature
In 1990, Florence and Daniel Cathiard fell in love with Château Smith Haut Lafitte. They purchased it with the firm intention of perpetuating the tradition of excellence of this noble wine. "Our philosophy can be summed up in one sentence: to do everything to ensure that each vintage, whether red or white, reflects our magnificent terroir."
Here, everything is done to preserve a living and harmonious ecosystem. The 80-hectare vineyard obtained the 'Organic Farming' label in 2019. The teams have implemented biodynamic practices, using their own medicinal plant garden to prevent diseases. They also have a preserved and natural nursery on the Isle of Lalande to cultivate their own rootstocks and thus maintain a unique identity for each grape variety, both white and red.
The 2023 vintage: the vintage of the future and the memory
The year 2023, a symbol of the future and the preservation of memories was notable for the visit of His Majesty King Charles III, accompanied by Queen Camilla, who chose the estate's château to discover the production methods used during the grape harvest. Their interest in biodiversity and organic farming was an opportunity for the estate to share its values and commitments. This unique and enriching experience will be remembered as a highlight of 2023 for Smith Haut Lafitte.
Tasting notes:
« The wine is pale yellow in colour. The nose is already expressive, with great complexity combining notes of ripe fruit (peach, fresh apricot, fresh mango), crystalline citrus notes (pomelo, pink grapefruit) and more delicate and elegant spicy and floral notes (star anise, elderflower, acacia). The story of this vintage is to be found on the nose: a beautiful combination of ripe fruit, freshness and elegance. The attack on the palate is dense and broad, with a very good texture and superb creaminess. Then the palate stretches out, supported by the good acidity, to a long and brilliant finish. The balance between softness and freshness is quite incredible, with the mouthfeel, volume and creaminess perfectly balanced by the beautiful freshness. This finely tuned acidity shapes the wine. On the palate, an explosion of fruit, then the aromas become more complex, more elegant, more sophisticated. Notes of sweet spices, star anise, aniseed, flowers and gun flint that are the signature of the great white wines of Smith Haut Lafitte. » - Fabien Teitgen, Winemaker