2021 Chateau Smith-Haut-Lafitte blanc - Grand Cru Classe - Pessac-Leognan AC

Decanter.com – 96 pts – GH: *Toasted oak, lanolin, honeyed caramel, lemon zest and red apple peel on both the nose and palate. This has an unctuosity, a richness to the texture giving beautiful honeyed lemon touches with Semillon fatness and intensity from the Sauvignon. It’s sleeping a little right now, feels as if it’s calm and quiet, not yet ready to show the world what it’s about but you do get a precision and detail along the edges, a real sculpting of elements. I love the presentation, such a success for the vintage, excellent winemaking on show. It's the soft vibration you get as the flavours travel from start to finish that is so promising - a lot of life and immense enjoyment to come from this.* - 04/2022

Falstaff Magazin – 94 pts – PM: *Helles Gelbgrün, Silberreflexe. Frische Wiesenkräuter, ein Hauch von Stachelbeeren, Mandarinenzesten, weiße Blüten, mineralischer Touch. Saftig, feine Fruchtsüße, elegant und lebendig strukturiert, salzige Nuancen im Abgang, gute Balance, finessenreich, mit Reifepotenzial ausgestatteter schlankerer Stil.* - 05/2022

Vinum Magazin – 17/20 pts: *Viel Eiche; vollmundig, erstaunlich fleischig, gut strukturiert, endet lang, auf Noten von Fruchtkompott; interessante Interpretation des Jahrgangs.*

WeinWisser – 19/20pts – GL, TW: *90 % Sauvignon Blanc, 5 % Sémillon, 5 % Sauvignon Gris. Verspieltes Bouquet, Pampelmuse, Limonenessenz und weiße Blüten. Am dichten Gaumen mit ungeheurer Eleganz, seidiger Textur, balancierter Rasse, mehr Druck, mittlerem Körper. Symbiose aus Kraft und Fülle im Mittelteil sowie Eleganz im spannungsvollen Finale, dafür war die späte Lese verantwortlich. Im katapultartigen Finale Agrumen, Pomelo und edle weiße Mineralik und salziges Extrakt. Ganz großes weißes SHL-Kino, teilt sich mit Haut- Brion Blanc und Pavillon Blanc dieses Jahr den Spitzenplatz.* – 04/2022

JancisRobinson.com – 17++/20pts – JR: *90% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Sauvignon Gris, 5% Sémillon. Cask sample. Reductive and a little green on the nose – less opulent than more-mature vintages on the nose but then it’s very broad and mouth-filling with some lanolin notes. Quite complex, combining many different elements. Still unformed.* - 04/2022

Vinous.com – (96-98) pts – AG: *The 2021 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc is one of the great white wines of the vintage. Soaring in its aromatic intensity and sheer volume, the 2021 saturates every corner of the palate with its unctuousness and richness. Even with all of that volume, the 2021 remains bright and sculpted. Crushed rocks, lemon confit, orchard fruit, white pepper and mint build into the memorable finish. The 2021 is positively stunning, that's pretty much all there is to it.* - 04/2022

Vinous.com – (94-96) pts – NM: *The 2021 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc was picked September 2–20 and raised in 50% new oak. It needs some time to really cohere in the glass and certainly is not as immediate as the Le Petit Smith Haut Lafitte. Eventually, it reveals fresh lime, pineapple, honeysuckle and touches of curry leaf. The taut, fresh palate is well balanced and intense, with a fine bead of acidity. Complex with plenty of salinity, this is a cerebral Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc that will benefit from three or four years in the cellar.* - 04/2022

Thewinecellarinsider.com – 98 pts – JL: *Green apples, pineapple, flowers, vanilla, lemon chiffon and orange blossoms crowd into the nose. Energetic, crisp, fresh, clean and pure with a fabulous pop in the mouth from all the layers of sweet, but vibrant fruits. The touch of peppery spice in the finish adds another dimension. The wine was produced from a blend of 90% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Sauvignon Gris and 5% Semillon. 13.5% ABV. Drink from 2023-2035.* - 05/2022