Jeroen Koenen

9.6

Massive wine, extracted and tannic. — 2 months ago

Bob Boyle

9.1

Very good wine — 4 months ago

Andrew McIntyre

9.5

Brilliant and complex wine. Personally i couldnt find any hint of sauvignon blanc on the nose and it reminds me more of a chardonnay. Great use of wood and acidity. Will improve in the coming years. Highly recommmend! Served with roasted cauliflower soup — 5 months ago

KP

9.8

Vibrant color. Wow, it’s like the Little Red Riding-hood porridge of wine. Not too dry, bold, acidic, long, short or tannic. Just right! Absolutely delicious. Would absolutely buy again and one of the best wines I’ve had in a long time. — 7 months ago

Shay A

9.4

This was served during my annual WWC hosting. Typical format of sparkler, three whites, four reds, one dessert, all served blind.

Decanted an hour. Acquired during a visit to Melka a few years back. Last bottle of a 3-pack, and poured next to a 2016 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc. 100%SB and 100% barrel fermented. This was the SB that opened my eyes to how good SB could be 5-6yrs ago. The tropical aromatics (pineapple, lots of guava, white peach) alongside such a rich yet balanced palate (glycerin like, oak only noticeable in texture, not taste). Lemon cream with a puckering finish.

As an aside, I know these “super SauvBlancs” have become popular. Melka must be at the forefront thanks to involvement in V29, DANA, Lail, Melka, ADAMVS, and countless others from the Atelier Melka team. — 3 years ago

TH

9.2

透き通ったピンク
ミネラリーで桜のニュアンス
繊細な味わい
@Winery 3208 incl tax — 4 years ago

Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

9.0

Bought for $40.00, normally $125.00 and still $125.00 winery direct. They’ve gone the way of a paper label & shorter cork. But for 1/3 the price I’ll take the miner changes. Medium body compared to older vintages. If I paid release I would be disappointed but for $40.00 its definitely worthwhile K&L notes, Beau Vigne's heralded, rising star winemaker Julien Fayard, originally from France, has worked in esteemed cellars such as Lafite-Rothschild and Smith-Haut-Lafitte on his way to becoming Philippe Melka's Director of Winemaking for many iconic wineries across Napa Valley. The 2018 "Cult" Cab is Beau Vigne's estate fruit from a high elevation vineyard 1,400 feet up on Atlas Peak and another closer to the Silverado Trail.

Composed of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Cult is a blend of both of the estate vineyards: Stags Ridge and Soda Canyon, with 15% blended from Rutherford and Oakville. It was aged in 100% new oak. — 6 years ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

8.9

Handsome #pessacléognan; 2nd wine from this famous producer. Took a good bit to open up. #bordeaux — 6 months ago

Andrew McIntyre

9.5

This was everything I hoped and more. Rich, decadent and developed. Thought this was amazing — 4 months ago

Ericsson

9.4

So underrated and punching way above its weight class. Bit more delicate and pure than your high end Boudreaux. Perfect for seaside dinners. Great vintage too. — 6 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

8.9

2020 vintage. Just okay for the price. Medium body. No middle palate or finish to speak of. Front-loaded. Perhaps next vintage. I believe this is the inaugural vintage. Tough year to start up the engine.From some little concern in France known as Smith-Haut-Lafitte. 5.9.24. — 2 years ago

Matthew Cohen

9.3

Nose: slightly jammy blackberry fruit.

Palate: reasonably clean blackberry fruit. Some nice internal aromatics. Mineral. Some oak that should integrate.

Long and juicy finish. — 3 years ago

Matthew Bull

9.0

Oh the joy. — 5 years ago

Maurizio Abbà

9.5

Chateau Carbonnieux is one of the largest estates in Pessac Leognan. It boasts some high profile neighbors, such as Chateau Haut Bailly and Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte. The 90 hectares of gravel-based soil is evenly split between red and white.
As it often happened in France, Benedictine monks started planting vines on this land in the 13th century. Perrin family bought the estate in 1956, proceeding to a renovation of the vineyard and the cellar.
This excellent example of white Bordeaux is composed of 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Semillon. The vinification is made in barrel, a third of them in new French oak. The wine is left on the lees for ten further months, before being put in bottles.
Beautiful golden color with paler reflexes, young and vivid despite its eight years of slow aging, the first impact on the nose is fresh and green, with prevalent notes of lime and cucumber. Some decanting time reveals floral notes, elderflower, jasmine, ripe peaches, with some bready tones provided by the lees — a very balanced nose with bright flavors.
In the mouth, a beautiful sapid dry wine with high acidity, medium body, medium to high alcohol. The latter is the only spike in an otherwise perfectly rounded taste. Aftertaste reminding citrus and stone fruit.
A great drink, one of the best white wines from Bordeaux in the 20-30£ range. Ready to drink in 8-10 years. — 7 years ago

Sagee Aran

9.5

Wow!!. A delicate and complex wine. Medium to full body, not overwhelming, perfection of balance. Nose - attributes of cacao, aged prune. Tanins are still powerful and give the structure. A beautiful wine. — 4 months ago

Ericsson

9.5

This is great value and ‘18 is one of my favorite vintages to drink now or savor later. Tasting great now. — 5 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Château Smith Haut Lafitte 2023 – Pessac-Léognan, BDX France 🇫🇷

Overview
A beautifully balanced Pessac-Léognan red blend of Merlot 55%, Cabernet Sauvignon 42% , Petit Verdot 2% and Cabernet Franc 1% that delivers finesse, aromatic complexity, and immediate approachability while maintaining classical structure and aging potential. A textbook expression of modern-classic Pessac harmony.

Aromas & Flavors
Blackcurrant, blackberry, ripe plum, and dark cherry layered with cedar, graphite, cocoa nib, tobacco leaf, crushed gravel, and subtle floral lift. The fruit feels vibrant and pure with beautifully integrated oak and savory mineral nuance.

Mouthfeel
Medium-to-full bodied with finely polished tannins and excellent balance between freshness and density. Silky entry, energetic mid-palate, and a long, clean, gently savory finish. Elegant rather than massive, delivering precision and drinkability without sacrificing depth.

Food Pairings
Grilled ribeye, lamb chops, duck breast, mushroom-based dishes, herb-roasted poultry, aged hard cheeses, and classic French bistro fare. Equally rewarding with refined meals or elevated casual cooking.

🍷 Personal Pick
This is exactly the kind of Pessac that keeps you reaching for another glass, delicate yet layered, polished yet expressive, and dangerously easy to enjoy young. Immediate gratification today, with the structure and balance to reward cellaring down the road. A beautiful testament to classical Pessac elegance done right.

Did You Know?
Château Smith Haut Lafitte is known for its gravel-rich soils in Pessac-Léognan, which drive freshness, mineral tension, and aromatic lift in both red and white wines, helping maintain balance even in warmer vintages. — 5 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

The 07 Bordeaux’s have turned out better than critically reviewed young for many quality producers. I became aware of that in 2014 when I had the 07 Smith Haut-Lafitte at the property with beef stroganoff prepared by their chef at lunch. I wouldn’t hold the 07’s as long as I would hold many other vintages but drinking beautifully now.

Nose show’s floral, slightly ruby to baked fruits of; blackberries, black plum, dark cherries, strawberries, raspberries on the glass edge, touch of pomegranate, tobacco leaf, excellent, soft graphite, dark, rich, moist, forest floor with dry leaves, notes of steeped tea, touch of black licorice, wet clay, limestone minerals, mixed dark berry cola, vanillin, light, fresh herbaceous notes, understated cinnamon & nutmeg, gentle, dark spice, sandalwood with fresh & withering dark, blue, purple forals.

The palate/mouthfeel is ruby, lush and pretty. Crazy beautiful. Blackberries, black plum, dark cherries, strawberries, a touch of purple fruits, raspberries on the glass edge, touch of pomegranate, candied tarriness, tobacco leaf, excellent, soft graphite, dark, rich, moist, forest floor with dry leaves, saline, notes of steeped tea, touch of black licorice, wet clay, limestone minerals, dry soil, dry river stones, crushed rocks, mixed dark berry & cherry cola, red licorice, vanillin, light, fresh herbaceous notes, understated cinnamon & nutmeg, gentle, dark spice, sandalwood with fresh & withering dark, blue, purple forals. Beautiful acidity. The lush finish is well balanced, nice structure even mix of fruit & earth and lasts two-minutes.

Great pair with the Allen Brothers Cowgirl Bone-in Ribeye.

Photos of Chateau Pape Clement’s magnificent property. — 3 years ago

Jae Cho

9.1

Bruised Granny Smith apples and membrillo/marcona almond. Not bad with #popeyes spicy chick’n sammich — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

The nose reveals; dark, floral currants. Ripe; blackberries, black plum, black raspberries blue fruits & dark cherries. Black licorice, lots of cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, clove, steeped dark fruit tea, soft volcanic minerals, soft leather, crushed dry rocks, blue & purple flowers with dark fresh & withering dark florals bouquet.

The body is full. The tannins nicely round & soft. The wine is juicy, delicious & easy to drink now. Ripe blackberries, black plum, black raspberries blue fruits & dark cherries. black licorice, lots of cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, clove, steeped dark fruit tea, soft volcanic minerals, soft leather, crushed dry rocks, suede leather, dry underbrush, mint, hints if dry herbs, woody notes, blue & purple flowers with dark fresh & withering dark florals bouquet. The acidity is well executed. The finish is round, balanced, juicy and delicious.

Photos of, their lobby, labels of the assorted different producers that make their wines there and their tasting bar.

For those of you not familiar with Le Pich, I took this from their site...Le Pich, which is the Wappo Indian term for "golden eagle," is the sister label of Napa Valley's esteemed Purlieu Wines. The wines are crafted by rising star winemaker Julien Fayard. Originally from France, Julien has lived in the Napa Valley since 2006, when he and his wife agreed to settle down by “meeting halfway” — between his home in France… and hers in Sonoma. In France, Julien worked in both Provence and Bordeaux, where he defined his core winemaking style at the exalted first growth Château Lafite-Rothschild (he even lived in Lafite’s grand château for a period) as well as at Smith Haut Lafitte. In Napa, Julien worked at Quintessa before joining Atelier Melka, where he spent five years as the Director of Winemaking. He has worked with the likes of; Lail Vineyards, Gemstone, Dalla Valle, and more.

Le Pich wines are some of the best values we've found in Napa Valley. — 8 years ago