2022 Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc
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Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
Jeb Dunnuck
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I always seem to prefer this cuvée over the Les Hauts de Smith Blanc, and the 2022 Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc is a solid step up. A blend of 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Sémillon, it has beautiful melon, honeyed citrus, and floral aromatics. These carry to a medium to full-bodied, vibrant, yet still concentrated, balanced white that should have a decade of longevity.
The 20% of Sémillon makes a real different to the structure of this compared to sibling estate Les Hauts de Smith, and this is the one to go for for a more structured, serious and chiselled take on the vintage. Expect white flowers, citrus, lemongrass, this is excellent quality and one to look out for. Harvest August 18 to September 2. 50% new oak.
A blend of 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Sémillon, the 2022 Le Petit Haut Lafitte Blanc is a solid effort, exhibiting aromas of peach, pear and smoke with flinty notes. Medium-bodied, charming and fleshy, it has racy acids, a delicate tannic sensation and a long, delicate core of fruit (lemon oil) with a penetrating finish.
About the producer
Ch. Smith Haut Lafitte is one of the leading lights of Pessac-Léognan today – all thanks to Daniel and Florence Cathiard, who took over the property in 1990 and have since transformed the estate, converting to biodynamics and crafting wines of increasing finesse.