Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte - Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte blanc 2017

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2017 Blanc prances out of the glass with pretty, cheerful scents of fresh green apples, lemongrass, lime leaves and white peaches plus spicy touches of fresh ginger, coriander seed and white pepper. Medium-bodied, the palate has fantastic intensity and tension, with a racy backbone cutting through the tightly knit citrus and spice layers, finishing long and mineral laced."

JAMES SUCKLING: "This is fabulous white with sliced apples, pears, stones, flint and light cream. Really incredible. Full-bodied, yet so tight and polished with superb finesse and density at the same time. A fantastic Smith white. A blend of 90% sauvignon blanc, 5% sauvignon gris and 5% semillon. Drink or hold."

JEB DUNNUCK: "One of the whites of the vintage is the 2017 Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc, which is based on 90% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% each of Sauvignon Gris and Semillon. Offering a huge, salty, mineral-laced bouquet of crushed lemons, acacia flowers, pineapple, and crushed rocks, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, racy acidity, a stacked mid-palate, and a crisp, chiseled, lengthy finish that keeps you coming back to the glass. It has the fruit and texture to drink nicely even today, yet my money is on it benefiting from 2-4 years of bottle age, and it should have over two decades of longevity."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "This wine is distinct in its texture, with a mere hint of spice from wood. What makes it special is the harmony among perfume, acidity, texture and superb fruit. The wine finishes with a touch of saltiness. It needs plenty of time, don't drink before 2022."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Everything is on target here. The nose with its flowery aromatics paired with yellow citrus, orange blossom, mint leaf and grapefruit works. On the palate, the lushly textured fruit has that beautiful acidic pop, giving you citrus, mango and vanilla in the finish. This should age quite well."

WINE SPECTATOR: "Juicy energy ripples from start to finish, with gooseberry, yellow apple, chamomile, tarragon and verbena notes giving this a tangy and flattering character. Reveals a long salted butter edge on the finish. Lovely now, but will fan out and become plumper with time. Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and Sauvignon Gris. Best from 2021 through 2030. 2,083 cases made."

WEINWISSER: "Helles Gelb mit lindgrünen Reflexen. Filigranes Parfüm nach frischer Pampelmuse, dahinter Weingartenpfirsich und die typische Feuersteinnote. Am tänzerischen Gaumen mit cremiger Textur, reifem Extrakt und anregender Frische. Im aromatischen Finale Jonagold und Mandarinenzesten gepaart mit getrockneten Kamillenblüten und edler Mineralik. Der perfekte Terrassenwein, der einfach so oder auch mit gebratenem Fisch vorzüglich harmoniert."

FALSTAFF: "Helles Gelbgrün, Silberreflexe. Anklänge von Guaven, Grapefruitzesten, Babybanane, zart nach Vanille. Elegant, feine weiße Tropenfrucht, zart nach Pfirsich, balanciert, dezente Mineralität. Sehr frisch und puristisch, wirkt leichtfüssig, gute Länge, delikat und viel versprechend."