Smith Haut Lafitte and Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc 2019

This morning Smith Haut Lafitte rouge and blanc have released. The rouge is one of the wines of the vintage from all leading critics. It has been awarded 96-98 from Neal Martin who says ‘more sophisticated than recent vintages of this top performer. Very elegant and refined, this is an outstanding success’. Jeb Dunnuck awards it 95-97+ saying ‘world-class expression of this terroir.’ Lisa Perrotti-Brown of The Wine Advocate awards it 96-98+ declaring it as ‘Stunning!’ This is clearly a great vintage for Smith Haut Lafitte set to equal or surpass the 2018 to which it has released at a £165 or 17% discount, priced at £813 per case of 12, or £406.50 per case of six. It will equal or surpass the 2015 and 2016 and surpass even the 2010, which currently trades at a 36% premium. Indeed, today’s release looks like a stunning buy as one of their finest ever vintages, yet at a 10% discount to the average trading price of vintages since 2005 and a huge 30% discount to the average trading price of £1,164 for the other leading vintages.

Smith Haut Laffite is located south of the city proper in the commune of Martillac and has embarkied on a large investment programme, which has included a new cellar and in 2000 they switched from mechanical to hand harvesting. The grapes are stored in ergonomic pods designed by the proprietor Daniel Cathiard to prevent oxidation. The estate produces only 10,000 cases per year and the average vine age is between 36 to 65 years.

Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc is one of the finest white wines in the world. The 2019 is a brilliant vintage for their white, Perrotti-Brown awards it an amazing 96-98+ points pronouncing ‘Wow-o-WOW, that is good!’ This high praise is adorned by James Suckling who awards it 96-97 points voicing ‘Love the richness and precision.’ The price today is £950 per case of 12 or £475 per case of six. It is a wine to buy if you love white Bordeaux, this is one of its finest incarnations and in 2019 close behind Haut Brion Blanc in quality, yet at a fraction of the price. The blend this year is 90% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Sauvignon Gris and 5% Semillon.