LE PETIT HAUT LAFITTE Blanc 2015
Layered nose of great mix of citrus and ripe small yellow stone fruits, followed by bursts of white flowers, stone fruit, honey drew, crushed mint, lemon peel, lemon curd, mineral and then lanolin. Nice acidities on palate, with fresh pear (and other yellow fruit) and lemon curd. Medium length, creamy finish. Excellent sample of terroir, grapes and cost performance. Pretty and simple, with just right ripeness adequate complexity. Only 3000 bottles produced, so these are rare bottles.
2015 is similar to 2009: elegant with power.
This second follows the first wine in the making, for example, whole bunch press, no skin contact or malolactic fermentation, vinification in French oak barrels, ageing with fine lees with stirring in new and used French oak barrels for an average of 12 months.
Soil has more clay so dense palate, cooler micro-climate, change from 100% Sauvignon Blanc to mixed Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, vine density ranges from 7,500 vines per hectare to 10,000 vines per hectare, using younger vines. organic and self sustainable. much of the farming techniques biodynamic farming techniques. Michel Rolland and Stephane Derenoncourt are used as consultants.
For a second wine, this has achieved great ratings from major tasters.
92 James Suckling, A round and fruity white with sliced lemon, melon and green apple. Full and savory with hints of saltiness and brightness. A blend of 80% sauvignon blanc and 20% semillon...
93 Antonio Galloni. The 2015 Le Petit Haut Lafitte Blanc shows the brightness and tension from the elevated presence of Sauvignon Blanc in the blend along with a measure of lightly honeyed unctuousness from the Sémillon. Lemon peel, white flowers, sage and mint are front and center in this finely sculpted, expressive white from Smith Haut Lafitte. Le Petit is 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Sémillon. Apr 2016, www.Vinous.com
91 Neal Martin. A blend of 20% Semillon and 80% Sauvignon Blanc, the 2015 Le Petit Smith Blanc has a perfumed citrus lemon, pineapple and white flower-scented nose, quite sweet, with hints of French patisserie in the background. The palate is clean and fresh on the entry with lime and grapefruit, lovely weight in the mouth with a lilting finish that tempts you to drink it now. There is nice fatness emanating from the Semillon. This is recommended. Apr 2016, www.eRobertParker.com, Drink: 2017-2027
91 WINE SPECTATOR. A fun, forward, slightly soft version, with peach, apple and lemon curd notes, backed by a lightly toasted finish. Mar 2016, James Molesworth, www.WineSpectator.com
91 Jeannie Cho Lee. This is a structured, lovely Le Petit that did very well in 2015. Full bodied, with a firm structure, with layers of earth and dark berries with a nice length.
16 JANCIS ROBINSON. Light and sweet on the nose. Very racy and super-appetising and juicy. Not one of the most concentrated but fresh and classic. Minerally finish. Apr 2016, www.JancisRobinson.com, Drink: 2018-2022
90 DECANTER 80% Sauvignon Blanc, 20% Semillon. Only 3,000 bottles made compared to 30,000 for the grand vin white. This starts off beautifully: rushes of lime flavours coming in, then takes a pause on the final furlong before coming back in with a lovely burst of acidity. Apr 2016, Jane Anson, www.Decanter.com, Drink: 2017-2021
