Smith Haut Lafitte White 2021 Magnum (1,5l)

Product info about Smith Haut Lafitte White 2021 Magnum (1,5l)

Smith Haut Lafitte White 2021 Magnum is a dry white Bordeaux from Pessac-Léognan, produced by Château Smith Haut Lafitte in Martillac. The 1.5-litre magnum format gives the wine a generous table presence, especially when a serious white Graves wine is meant to be shared rather than simply opened.

The 2021 vintage was far from straightforward, with spring frost, a wet season and the need for careful vineyard selection. That background makes the precision of the wine all the more interesting. The blend is led by sauvignon blanc, with sauvignon gris and sémillon adding to the composition. Grapes were harvested by hand, pressed under inert gas to preserve aromatics, fermented in French oak barriques and aged for 12 months on the lees.

At Drankenshop Broekmans, this is the kind of bottle we see as a refined choice for drinkers who appreciate white Bordeaux with freshness, structure and mineral drive. The estate has been certified organic since 2019 and also refers to biodynamic practices within its broader approach. The château's own cooperage is part of the story too, as the French oak barrels used for fermentation and ageing come from the estate.

International critics have rated this vintage very highly, but its real interest lies in the way ripe texture, bright acidity and saline precision come together. It can be enjoyed relatively young with some air in the glass, while the stated drinking windows also point to further ageing potential. With the final bottles now remaining, this 2021 magnum has become a notably scarce release.

The wine shows a pale yellow colour with green reflections. Aromatically it begins rather discreetly, then gradually opens with fresh citrus, lime, grapefruit, white flowers and star anise. With air, white peach, nectarine, apricot, pear, green apple, passion fruit and mango become more apparent.

On the palate it starts with direct energy and clear acidity, then broadens into a more rounded, supple texture. Chalk, graphite, flint and salinity give the wine its mineral backbone, while the oak influence remains integrated through cedar, subtle toast, almond, caramel and vanilla. The finish is long, dry, fresh and distinctly mineral.