TN: 2006 Smith Haut Lafite Pessac-Leognan Blanc

WINE TALK
1

Oaky wines usually turn me off but well-integrated oaky Bordeaux Blancs are just killer…
2006 Smith Haut Lafite Pessac-Leognan Blanc
Nose of minerals, vanilla and tropical fruits. Very exotic…On the palate gooseberry, lychee, vanilla and green apple all wrapped up with a lovely mineral tang. Finish lasts a long time - It’s kind of like apple pie with a touch of slate - sounds weird but it works. Excellent to Outstanding! [dance-clap.gif]
I love this wine. Bought it at K&L as part of the Diageo sell off at $39.99. I’d back up the truck every year if you could get great white bordeaux at this price, but expect to be priced out the market soon enough. I’m enjoying this while I can!

2

Nice TN. That’s one reason why I love well-made white Bordeaux. Although I really don’t like over-oaked wines, I feel as though Bordeaux can push the envelope a little. One of my favorites was Chateau Chantegrive Cuvee Caroline from Graves. The oak was so well integrated, pushing the wine into that delicious area.

I’ll definitely keep my eye out for he SHL blanc now…

3

Thanks for the notes on this wine. I also took advantage of the KL deal and got my two bottles last week. I’ve never had any (relatively) high end white Bordeaux so I’m very exited about these. Any suggestions for what to eat with it or how long it will improve, if at all, in the cellar?

Thanks,

Rob

4

Shows $49/bottle today: http://www.klwines.com/detail.asp?sku=1050913" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Whats up with ‘the deal’? I’d hook up a few bottles at $39…

Great notes - thanks much.

5

Lance - I think the deal was the “first tranche” of Diageo blowouts from last summer. BTW I boycotted the 2006 en primeur campaign. I feel righteous and justifed now… [wink.gif]
Rob - Seafood. Think roasted lobster. Awesome combo. The Smith-Haut-Lafite, while great young, should keep for a decade or more.

6

2006 is a great vintage for white Graves. SHL is excellent in this vintage, but so are many others. Domaine de Chevalier is my favourite, but I also thought Bouscaut, Malartic-Lagravière and the uncommonly sighted Couhins-Lurton over-performed. Brown, Couhins, Fieuzal and Latour-Martillac did well too.

7

I have to second Chris’ endorsement for the 2006 white Graves vintage, as pretty much across the board the top producers have made really fine wines (would add Pape Clement Blanc to the list of top performers as well). I think they would age very nicely for closer to 20-25 years, with the one caveat that premature oxidation is every bit as much of a problem with white Graves as it is with white Burgundy, so I would opt for drinking most of these wines in the 6-8 year range, just to guard against the potential incidence of premox. The issue is obviously getting some attention behind the scenes at certain chateaux, as La Louviere Blanc was sealed 100% under screwcap in 2006. It will be interesting to follow this wine and see whether reduction becomes in issue with it before premox starts to invade the cork-finished versions of '06 whites from other chateaux.

Best,

John

8

Just to pile on, thanks for the informative notes. I’ve been seeing this locally for $39 after discount and have always been curious to try more white graves. It’s just another excuse to go spend more money.

9

Great price on this. i would buy more at that price. thanks for the note. I have a couple (at a much higher price) that are put away to make older bones.