The 2019 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc has turned out very well in bottle, reflecting the estate's volition to craft more structured, age-worthy whites. Offering up aromas of gooseberry, nectarine, mint and lemongrass mingled with hints of pastry cream, almond paste and smoke, it's full-bodied, satiny and incisive, with a textural attack that segues into a fleshy but promisingly tightly wound mid-palate, concluding with a saline finish. As usual, the blend features a small percentage of Sauvignon Gris, which brings more dry extract to the ensemble.

Ma meilleure note donnée à ce cru en Primeurs se porte bien. Couleur pâle. Nez intense, fin, fruité, pur et subtil. Ample à l'attaque, juteux en milieu de bouche et surtout doué d'une structure très minutieuse qui possède la grâce des plus grands, le vin fond au palais nuancé, précis, noble, très savoureux et parfumé. Belle longueur. N'hésitez pas à l'ouvrir jeune.

Intense blackberry and graphite character coming out of the glass, together with dried violets, ink and some asphalt. Full-bodied with wonderfully integrated tannins that spread across the palate and then draw you deep into the wine. Lead-pencil and blackcurrant aftertaste. Tightly wound with a cashmere-like texture. A whole and thought-provoking wine. Try after 2028 and beyond.

Subdued on the first nose but opens up to show the rich, citrus and rosemary-filled grown up glamour that Smith Haut Lafitte's white does so well. Acidity feels lower than in vintages like 2017 but similar to last year, with an emphasis on slate texture that narrows and focuses the tension through the palate, and suggests this will age well. Tasted twice three weeks apart and gorgeous both times, perhaps a little more developed in terms of its nuances and depth the 2nd time around, giving plenty of confidence to what will happen over the rest of ageing. If you are planning to drink this soon I recommend a good few hours in a carafe first.

Pessac-Léognan Feines Bouquet, weisse Blüten, Weingartenpfirsich, Sternfrucht, Mandarine, zart Kamilte, Toast Gute Dichte, saftig, feiner Säurebogen, gute Struktur, Grapefruit, Kiwi, zart Mandarine im Finish, lang.

Compact but with solid range, as the salted butter, verbena and talc notes work well with lemon pith and curd, white peach and gooseberry flavors. Offers a talc hint that works underneath to extend the finish. Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and Sauvignon Gris. Drink now through 2028.

Élégant et tout en finesse, le bouquet convoque les fleurs blanches, le buis et la vanille. Le palais se montre ample, suave et gras, avant une longue finale pleine de fraîcheur.