Chateau Smith-Haut-Lafitte Blanc 2022

Classification	Cru Classe
Type	White
Brand	Chateau Smith-Haut-Lafitte Blanc
Vintage	2022
Country	France
Region	Bordeaux, Graves
Grape	Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon
Volume	0,75
Condition	Perfect
Label	Perfect
Drinkable	2025-2042
Stock	21

Professional reviews

Robert Parker (95)

The 2022 Blanc from Smith Haut Lafitte is an impressive effort this year, evoking aromas of white fruits, pear, white peach, spices and spring flowers. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and layered, it's rich and concentrated with ripe acids enhanced by beautiful, chalky dry extracts, culminating in a long, saline and lovely oaky finish. This white wine always rewards patience and marries tension and charm to pleasing effect.

James Suckling (98)

The sliced apples and pears with lemon blossoms and hints of dried pineapple and flint follow through to a medium body with brightness and energy. The finish is impressive with white pepper, crushed sea salt and spice. Really great finish here. All about energy. 90% sauvignon blanc, 5% semillon and 5% sauvignon gris.

Jancis Robinson (17)

Cask sample. Pale greenish straw. Lifted with the perfume of Sauvignon Gris (to which they were introduced long before most Bordeaux estates by Peter Vinding-Diers) standing out even though it constitutes only 5% of the blend. Flattering and floral with a certain fresh salinity on the end. Quite rich. Maybe almost too much? It certainly isn’t an aperitif. (JR)

Vinous (96)

The 2022 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc is superb. What a wine. Rich, ample and creamy, with striking balance, the 2022 dazzles from start to finish. Ripe pear, tangerine peel, chamomile, mint and a kiss of spice all meld together in a stunning Blanc that belies the warm, dry year. Plush, generous contours wrap it all together in style. The balance here is magnificent.

Jeb Dunnuck (98)

Simply stunning and undeniably one of the whites of the vintage, the 2022 Château Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc has a light gold hue as well as a brilliant perfume of honeyed grapefruit, crushed stone, and lemon zest. Rich, full-bodied, beautifully balanced, and concentrated on the palate, it’s one of those rare whites that brings a red wine-like sense of structure and mouthfeel while staying vibrant, juicy, and incredibly precise. Give it 2-3 years and enjoy through 2042.

Winespectator (97)

This shimmers with a salted butter note that adds a flattering edge to its panoply of shortbread, singed almond, honeysuckle, lemon curd and creamed white peach flavors. Feels regal, with a long finish that deftly toes the balance between the toasted and fresh, unadorned sides of the spectrum. A rare dry white that can handle all four seasons as anything from a solo aperitif to a main course partner. Beautiful. Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and Sauvignon Gris. Drink now through 2035. 2,000 cases made, 250 cases imported.

Decanter (96)

A beautifully alluring nose, with ripe pineapple, honeysuckle, and a subtle spiciness, alongside freshly picked pear. The Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon characters shine through, giving both aromatic intensity and depth. On the palate, there’s a purity of fruit - quince, mango, and pineapple - layered with crisp green apple, wet stones, and a delicate struck match note, complemented by a touch of toast. Despite the ripe fruit expression, the palate is taut, driven by acidity and subtle bitterness that accentuates every nuance. It finishes crystalline, cool, and mouthwatering, with an elegant balance of juiciness and tension. No flabbiness, no sharpness, just elongated precision. The unmistakable SHL signature is strong here, showcasing multifaceted complexity with peach juiciness, white chocolate richness, and a honeyed weight. This is impeccably crafted and will only grow in stature with time.