Smith Haut Lafitte is owned by Daniel and Florence Cathiard (Daniel being a famous French Olympic skier). SHL owns their own cooperage on site and have been making their own barrels for 20 years. SHL makes both red and white wine. Their white wine soil (sandy) is soft and is aerated by horses. They are a certified organic vineyard.
The estate was started by Verrier Du Boscq in 1365 on the gravely high ("Haut") plateau of "Lafitte". George Smith then purchased the winery in 1720 and added his name to the winery. The Cathiards purchased the winery in 1990.
The winery has 86 hectares of red wine vines and 11 hectares of white wine vines. The winery has been certified organic.
Smith Haut Lafitte 2011 Blanc Bordeaux is a white wine blend of 90% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Semillon and 5% Sauvignon Gris. The wine is aged in oak for 12 months, 50% new oak and 50% in 1 year old oak.
The crest on label: the 3 branches represent the 3 children of George Smith, the Fleur de lis symbolizes the Verrier Du Boscq family and the crescent symbolizes the Port of Bordeaux or the "Port of the Moon"
This wine is priced between $155-260 in the B.C. Liquor Stores, depending on the vintage
For more information about the winery, please visit their website at www.smith-haut-lafitte.com