94 Robert Parker - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

94 Points - Robert Parker Reviewed in Wine Advocate #171, June 2007 with no tasting notes given.

"Aromas of honey, pineapple, cream and piecrust follow through to a full body, with lots of caramel and tropical fruit character. Long and layered. Rich and delicious. Drink now. 2,500 cases made. -JS" -92 points Wine Spectator

"Good pale color. Pungent pineapple, mint and musky honeysuckle on the nose. Sweet, dense and juicy, with lovely fruit concentration. At once succulent and creamy, with a crunchy primary fruit character and firm balancing acidity to extend the finish. An excellent vintage for this white wine." 91-92 Points - Stephen Tanzer - International Wine Cellar

VITICULTURE & VINIFICATION:

Blend: 90 % Sauvignon Blanc / 5 % Sauvignon Gris / 5 % Sémillon

Yield : 36 hectoliters/hectare, before selection of the 1st wine

Fermentation in barrel : 50% new barrels, 50% previously used for 1 wine

Ageing: on the lees with regular stirring for 12 months

"We started harvesting the white grapes from a few plots on September 8th 2004, then waited another twelve days for the grapes on old Sauvignon Blanc vines to ripen completely, picking the rest of the crop between September 20th and 27th. Good acidity (due to moderate summer temperatures), combined with perfect ripeness, produced aromatic, rich, must with good concentration and balance. After fermentation, the wines were well-balanced and rich, with good acidity (13.5% vol. and 4-4.5 total acidity)."

"Just after fermentation, the wines tended to be rather closed in. Thanks to stirring during ageing on the lees and the cold weather in March, the wines have now recovered their balance and a more open, aromatic character."

"2004 white Smith Haut Lafitte has a complex bouquet, featuring hints of citrus, white fruit, dried fruit, and star anise. It is rich and powerful with good backbone on the palate, while retaining freshness and good balance thanks to its acidity. It is very long and clean on the palate, with mineral overtones and a very persistent aromatic aftertaste, featuring citrus, white peaches, and brioche." -Winemaker

THE CHATEAU:

"The noble Bosq family started growing grapes here as early as 1365. The property was purchased in the 18th century by Scotsman George Smith, who gave the estate its present name. He also built the manor house and exported his – by now famous – wine to England on his own ships."

"In 1842, Mr. Duffour-Dubergier, Mayor of Bordeaux and an enthusiastic winegrower, inherited Château Smith Haut Lafitte from his mother and brought the wine up to great growth status. Impressed by Smith Haut Lafitte's excellent quality, the Louis Eschenauer company distributed the wine all over the world starting in the early 20th century, deciding to buy the estate in 1958. After the Eschenaueur period came to an end, a great deal of money has been invested in the estate, particularly on the construction of a superb underground cellar holding over 1,000 barrels."

"In 1990, Daniel Cathiard fell in love with the property and joined the list of prestigious owners, firmly intending to further enhance Smith Haut Lafitte's tradition of excellence. He combined the most modern winemaking techniques and age-old methods: organic compost, small wooden vats, ageing on the lees in barrel, etc."

"Famous around the world for its wonderfully elegant red wine and the sophisticated bouquet of its white wine, Smith Haut Lafitte undoubtedly deserves the special care that is lavished on it." -Winery