Château Smith Haut Lafitte white - Pessac-Léognan 2012

Wine Advocate

95 / 100

byNeal Martinthe10/28/2016

Tasted blind at the Southwold 2012 tasting. The 2012 Smith-Haut-Lafitte Blanc has an intense bouquet with mint-fresh Granny Smith apple scents, quite exotic compared to its peers, greengage and gooseberry, a touch of tinned apricot. The palate is crisp and fresh on the entry with lime and gooseberry notes, the acidity well judged, a healthy veneer of new oak, but it is totally in sync with the fruit. Give this 4-5 years for everything to fully assimilate and you will have a splendid white Bordeaux. This is pure nectar. Tasted January 2016.

Wine Advocate

95 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2015

The opaque bluish-purple 2012 Smith Haut Lafite offers up notes of licorice, graphite, blueberry and blackberry fruit, a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel, stunningly ripe, velvety tannins and a long, long finish. This is another sensational effort from the Cathiards that is perfectly balanced, complex, super-rich and pure. Drink it over the next 20-25 years.This is another great turn-around effort that dated from the acquisition of this once moribund estate in 1990, by Daniel and Florence Cathiard. They continue to do an exemplary job with both white and red.

Jamessuckling.com

96 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/15/2015

This is fabulous. It's a white that is so vertical with wonderful depth of fruit and structure. It goes on for minutes. Dense and complex. It's so structured and amazing. Peaches and mineral with a salty and savory character. It is captivating to taste now.

Wine Spectator

94 / 100

byJames Molesworththe2/10/2015

Packed, with dense straw, tarragon, white peach, chamomile and tangerine notes, this is still a touch tight but should unfurl fully soon enough. Shows lovely cut despite the weight, ending with a long echo of yellow chartreuse and salted butter. Drink now through 2020. 2,500 cases made. –JM

Jancis Robinson

17,5 / 20

the12/11/2014

Very luscious nose but not over the top in a Pape-Clément way. Definitely very ripe… Full throttle but with a refreshing smokiness on the finish. Great balance and already giving masses of pleasure. Definitely ripe style but not blowsy. Distinctively Léognan. Very satisfying. But see my drinking dates. I do wonder about the timing of the release of some of these more luscious dry white bordeaux.14% Drink 2013-2018

timatkin.com

92 / 100

byTim Atkin MWthe6/30/2013

The white wine from this excellent property isn’t quite as good as the red in 2012, but that’s partly a reflection of the high quality of the latter wine. This is still a special blend: leesy, exotic and ripe, with hints of pineapple and stone fruit, a touch of tangerine and a broad, textured finish. Drink: 2014-20

Wine Advocate

92-94 / 100

byNeal Martinthe5/3/2013

Tasted from a barrel sample at en primeur. A blend of 90% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Semillon and 5% Sauvignon Gris (the latter to increase the density of the wine), the 2012 has a well-defined bouquet with lime, fresh apple, apricot blossom and cold stone. The palate is very well balanced with fresh dewy green apples, lime and citrus peel. There is a slight resinous quality on the spicy/lemongrass finish imparted by the Sauvignon Gris, with very good length. This is an excellent wine. Tasted April 2013.

matthewjukes.com

17.5 / 20

byMatthew Jukesthe4/30/2013

Wine Advocate

93-95 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/26/2013

Under the capable hands of the Cathiard family, this property has been producing fabulous red and white wines. The 2012, another brilliant effort, exhibits notes of orange rind, figs, mangoes, pineapples and caramelized citrus presented in a full-bodied, heady, powerful style. It should drink well for 15-20 years.Drink: 2013 - 2033

The Wine Cellar Insider

93-95 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/26/2013

Blending 90% Sauvignon with equal parts Semillon and Sauvignon Gris, the wine will be aged in 50% new French oak. Grapefruit, lime, lemon, vanilla, guava and banana scents require little effort to find. Rich, fleshy and concentrated with balancing acidity and freshness, the long and fresh citrus finish refreshes and expands. 93-95 Pts

My Bettane + Desseauve

17 / 20

the4/26/2013

Franc, net, très fruité, très gras, de l’allonge, très joli style.

Decanter.com

17,25 / 20

bySteven Spurrierthe4/23/2013

Beautiful lemon-yellow colour, slightly exotic/spicy nose and flavours from the Sauvignon Gris in the vineyard, generous fruit, character and class. 17.25/20pts ( 90+/100pts)Drink: 2014 - 2020

Jancis Robinson

16,5 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe4/16/2013

Drink 2014-2020Slightly stinky Sauvignon aromas. Tight. Then it broadens and sweetens on the palate to something much richer and more distinctive. Just a little sugary but this is to split hairs.

Wine Spectator

92-95 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/5/2013

Lovely, with a kiss of brioche and toasted macadamia nut leading the way, followed by yellow apple, fennel, white peach and green almond notes. Long finish retains the toasty hint, but shows lovely purity too. Gorgeous. —J.M.

Jamessuckling.com

95-96 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/4/2013

This is fabulous. It’s a white that is so vertical with wonderful depth of fruit and structure. It goes on for minutes. Dense and complex. It’s so structured and amazing. Peaches and mineral with a salty and savory character. It is captivating to taste now.