94-96

Antonio Galloni

Vinous

The 2023 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc is quite the extrovert. Apricot, passion fruit, mint, tangerine peel and pineapple all soar out of the glass. Medium in body, with gorgeous texture, the 2023 is quite showy. I imagine it will drink well with minimal cellaring. 04/2024

95-97

Neal Martin

Vinous

The 2023 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc was picked from August 23 to September 9 at 36hL/ha and matured in 50% new oak. It has a reticent bouquet at first, requiring a few swirls of the glass to reveal touches of orange pith, peach skin, wild fennel and light pressed white flower scents. The palate is very well balanced with a lovely creamy texture, counterbalanced by the taut line of acidity. Very poised and focused, it's somehow almost Corton-Charlemagne-inspired on the finish (perhaps due to the umami). This is a seriously fine white Pessac-Léognan. 04/2024

94-96

Yohan Castaing

Robert Parker/Wine Advocate

Aromas of white fruits, crisp orchard fruits, spices, smoke, spring flowers and pear introduce the 2023 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc, a medium to full-bodied, layered and textured wine with a fleshy core of fruit and racy acids, concluding with a mineral, fresh and long finish highlighted by delicate notes of thyme and garrigue. Comprising 50% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Sémillon and 5% Sauvignon Gris and matured in 50% new oak, this blend is among the finest white wines produced at this address. 04/2024

95-97

Jeb Dunnuck

Jeb Dunnuck

One of the bigger, richer wines in the vintage, the light gold-hued 2023 Château Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc offers up a killer nose of orange blossom, honeyed citrus, toast, spice, and minty flowers. It's medium to full-bodied and has a richly textured, layered mouthfeel, bright acidity, and a great finish. It's probably the white of the vintage. 05/2024

95

Jean-Marc Quarin

Jean-Marc Quarin

Jaune aux reflets verts. Nez intense, fin, fruité, avec une touche florale et vanillée. Vis à vis des deux autres vins blancs de la propriété, le toucher est ici cristallin et le déroulé y gagne une grâce captivante. Le vin évolue savoureux avec cette année dans les derniers instants un petit manque d'envolée dans l'ultime persistance, même si c'est très bon. Assemblage : 90 % sauvignon blanc, 5 % sémillon, 5 % sauvignon gris. Degré d'alcool : 14° - pH : 3,2. 04/2024

97-98

James Suckling

James Suckling

Another exceptional vintage for Smith-Haut-Lafite Blanc. It’s so complex and structured, offering a palate that feels similar to the texture of a red wine with a velvety tannin structure. There’s a lot going on here. Spice, crushed seashell and citrus blossom. Salty, too. Weightless and so long. 90% sauvignon blanc, 5% sauvignon gris and 5% semillon. 04/2024