Smith-Haut-Lafitte Blanc Pessac-Léognan 2020

100 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Lastly, and pure perfection in white wine, the 2020 Château Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc is based on 90% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Sauvignon Gris and 5% Semillon that was aged in 50% new oak. This massively rich, concentrated, powerful white offers a heavenly nose of honeyed flowers, orange marmalade, lemon grass, and toasted bread, with a building sense of salinity and minerality that shows on the finish. Drink this stunningly rich, layered, concentrated 2020 over the coming two decades. Drink: 2024-2044. (3/29/23)"

96-98 points Wine Enthusiast: "This is a beautiful white wine in its balance and in its elegantly textured fruit and acidity. With richness balanced by the wine's crisp green fruits, there is complexity and depth here that gives the wine great intensity. For long-term aging."

97 points Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux): "(90% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Sémillon, 5% Sauvignon Gris). The 2023 En Primeur got a slightly higher score in my SHL white tastings this year, but for the Wines of the Year, I try to prioritise ones that you can actually get hold of and drink over the festive season, and this remains an exceptional choice. It's a wine that I just love to share, with its citrus grip that softens to creamy, fleshy stone fruits, with plenty of textural interest. Nectarine, white mango, gunsmoke, white pepper, sage, mouthwatering and keeps you coming back for more. 29hl/ha yield, 50% new oak barrels for ageing, with a few months back in stainless steel tanks before bottling. Harvest August 20 to September 9, one of the earliest on record. Certified organic as of 2019 in the vineyard, fully biodynamic farming as of this 2020 vintage. Technical director Fabien Teitgen. Alcohol 14.5%. Drink: 2024-2034. (4/18/24)"

97 points James Suckling: "Aromas of grapefruit, melon, ripe apple, and lemon. Lots of lemon curd as well. Full and layered with plenty of fine phenolics. Energetic and vivid. Minerally and lightly chewy at the end. From organic grapes. 90% sauvignon blanc, 5% sauvignon gris and 5% semillon. (5/14/23)"

96 points Jane Anson (Decanter): "This brings together depth and power, concentrated and hugely saline right from the start. Rich in texture, with layers of stone fruits from nectarines to white peaches, with a steely edge that squeezes through the fruit, holds interest and adds persistency. A delicious white wine with the point of bitterness on the finish adding another dimension. Average yields 29hl/ha for the whites. 50% new oak. Harvest started August 20, one of earliest on record, through to September 9th. Certified organic (AB) as of 2019 in the vineyard. Drinking Window: 2022-2036. (May 2021)"

96 points Jeff Leve (The Wine Cellar Insider): "Rich, lush and creamy, with an alluring bouquet of honeysuckle, lemon rind, white peach, vanilla, and honeyed lemon peel, this is going to be simply fabulous on release, providing pleasure for over a decade. Drink from 2023-2034. (Mar 2023)"

96 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (The Wine Independent): "The 2020 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc is composed of 90% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Semillon, and 5% Sauvignon Gris, aged in 50% new oak. It needs a little coaxing to bring out fragrant notions of fresh grapefruit, green mango, and nectarines, giving way to hints of honeysuckle, mandarin peel, cedar, and paraffin wax. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers intense citrus and tropical fruit flavors with a silky texture and crisp line defining the fruit, finishing on a lingering chalky note. Alcohol 14.5%. Drink: 2025-2040. (3/12/23)"

95 points Wine Spectator: "Suave and caressing in feel, this drapes beautifully, with creamed yellow apple, gooseberry and lemon curd notes on the flattering side, offset by hints of tarragon, blanched almond and salted butter on the racier side. The finish is enhanced with paraffin and smoke hints. Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and Sauvignon Gris. Drink now through 2030. (12/7/22)"

95 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2020 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc is superb. Élevage has done wonders in lending energy and brilliance. The 2020 shows the soft curves of the warm vintage, but it has tons of energy, too. That makes for an absolutely brilliant, compelling white that delivers on so many levels. The 2020 offers enough approachability to drink well now, but also the energy to develop well in bottle for many years to come. Drink: 2023-2030. (Feb 2023)"

95 points Chris Kissack (Winedoctor): "The blend here is 90% Sauvignon Blanc with 5% each Sauvignon Gris and Semillon. The nose is a delight, setting lightly desiccated white peach and mirabelle fruits with a lemon peel freshness against layers of smoky, gunpowder notes, both intriguing and convincing. This is very pure and polished on the palate, fresh with a light touch of cream to the texture. It feels very complete and harmonious, with a light chalky substance, powdery phenolic grip, and a fabulous length which lingers with impact. This is very seductive, smartly textured and filled with crushed chalk minerality, but it is also structured, energetic and gripped. It is a stunning white Pessac-Léognan which would grace any cellar. The alcohol is a considerable 14.5%, although I would never have thought that on tasting it. It does make me wonder about cellaring advice though – perhaps drinking younger rather than older might be better? Time will tell. (Dec 2022)"

95 points Bettane & Desseauve Guide (2024).

94 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Wine Advocate): "A strong effort, the 2020 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc wafts from the glass with aromas of nectarine, pear, lemongrass, Sauvignon botanicals, toasted bread and baking spices. Medium to full-bodied, satiny and layered, it's rich and concentrated, with ripe acids and chalky structuring extract. It's not quite as vibrant and precise as the 2019, but it's a success nonetheless. Drink: 2025-2040. (4/6/23)"

94 points Peter Moser (Falstaff): "Light yellow-green with silver reflections. Fresh lime, a touch of mint, white tropical fruit, and floral nuances. Juicy, subtle peppermint, white apple, discreet acid structure, lemony-salty finish, mineral and persistent – an individualistic style. (2/22/23)"