LE PETIT SMITH HAUT LAFITTE BLANC 2nd wine of Ch. Smith Haut Lafitte, Pessac-Leognan 2023 Bottle

Description

The 2023 Le Petit Haut Lafitte Blanc is an elegant second wine that beautifully showcases the finesse of Pessac-Léognan whites, earning impressive accolades of 94-95 points from James Suckling and 94 points from Decanter. Hailing from a blend of 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Sémillon, this wine displays a pale gold colour with green reflections, offering an enticing bouquet of citrus blossom, white peach, and subtle vanilla. On the palate, it is crisp and refreshing, featuring flavours of ripe grapefruit, lemon zest, and green apple, complemented by hints of honey and salinity. Rated 92-94 points by Vinous, it is described as vibrant and airy, with an uplifting citrus profile. With a drinking window from 2025 to 2037, this wine is perfect for seafood, goat's cheese, or as a sophisticated aperitif, while also promising further complexity with age.

*****

JAMES SUCKLING 94-95 points
Good vibration here, with edgy, fresh acidity that makes it long and vivid. It's medium-bodied and tight, with sliced lemon and green apple and stone character. Better than 2022? 80% sauvignon blanc and 20% semillon.

DECANTER 94 points
Tasted by: Georgina Hindle (at Bordeaux, 11 Apr 2024) Part of Best dry white Bordeaux 2023 wines tasted en primeur
Drinking Window: 2025 - 2037
A touch of honey and honeycomb on the nose, some caramel, green herbs, apple and white stone fruit. Nice weight on the palate, this has some density and structure with a slightly honeyed core. Mouthwatering creamy peach with salinity, a touch of graphite and wet stones that lingers on the finish. A touch of bitterness too, but this has excellent energy and harmony with movement, subtle power and a long finish. Friendly and easy to approach. Ageing 50% new oak.

VINOUS 92-94 points
The 2023 Le Petit Haut Lafitte Blanc is terrific. Airy and vibrant, the 2023 is pure class. Crushed rocks, mint, salt, white pepper and lemon curd are all beautifully lifted. The Sauvignon Blanc-based Petit is very fine in 2023. - Antonio Galloni

THE WINE ADVOCATE (90-93) points
Reviewed by: Yohan Castaing
Drink Date: 2025 - 2040
As usual, a blend of 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Sémillon matured 50% in new oak, the 2023 Le Petit Haut Lafitte Blanc offers up aromas of spring flowers, citrus, lime tree leaves and menthol. Medium-bodied, satiny and round, it’s satiny with a fleshy core of fruit, bright acids and an elegant, ethereal finish enhanced by gastronomic bitterness. It will offer a broad drinking window.