Château Smith Haut Lafitte 2025

Characteristics and tasting notes for Château Smith Haut Lafitte 2025 white

Tasting

Appearance
A brilliant yellow robe with a beautifully pale hue.

Nose
Very delicate and remarkably fresh, the bouquet reveals notes of peppermint along with citrus fruits such as mandarin and yellow and pink grapefruit. It then opens onto aromas of yellow fruits, fresh apricot and white peach, as well as subtle hints of white flowers and sweet spices.

Palate
The attack is lively and full of energy. The texture then becomes more generous and ample, offering a perfect balance between freshness, sweetness, roundness and richness. The finish stretches out at length on a beautiful saline tension. The whole reveals a complex, elegant and generous profile, the true signature of its terroir.

The elegance and freshness of a great white wine from Pessac-Léognan crafted by Château Smith Haut Lafitte

The estate

The history of Château Smith Haut Lafitte officially began in 1365 with the signing of the first deeds by Verrier Du Bosq. Located in Martillac, in the heart of the Bordeaux region, this emblematic estate extends over 78 hectares. Since the passing of Daniel Cathiard in January 2026, the property has been led by Florence Cathiard and her family. Nicknamed "the most Graves of the Graves", the vineyard stands out for its innovative "bio-precision" approach and for the rare presence of a cooperage integrated within the château, crafting bespoke barrels to enhance each vintage.

The vineyard

Located in the Pessac-Léognan appellation, the vineyard lies on a ridge of Günzian gravel offering deep natural drainage and a mirror effect from the stones that promotes the ripening of the berries. The vines dedicated to this white wine, with an average age of 39 years, are cultivated according to the principles of organic and biodynamic farming, with yields limited to 18 hl/ha. The most delicate plots benefit from horse-drawn ploughing, reflecting the absolute respect for the soils and biodiversity.

The wine

This 2025 vintage features a special label, in memory of Daniel Cathiard, who passed away in early 2026.

Winemaking and aging

The harvest of Château Smith Haut Lafitte 2025 is carried out by hand into small crates to preserve the integrity of the berries. After inert pressing and static cold settling, fermentation takes place in French oak barrels, 40% of which are new. Aging then continues on the lees for 12 months in barrels made by the cooperage integrated within the estate. For this stage, half of the barrels used are new, while the remaining 50% are one-wine barrels.

Grape varieties

This white wine is made from a blend of 90% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Sauvignon Gris and 5% Sémillon.