2006 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc

Bright, pale yellow. Musky aromas of yellow plum, ginger and quinine, with a light resiny nuance. Fat, broad and sweet, but with lovely acidity and lift to leaven its plump, mouthfilling richness. I picked up a superripe suggestion of banana as well as a glyceral, honeyed, waxy semillon character but this highly complex wine boasts terrific verve and finishes with real grip and length. The 2005, which I rated 91 points in March, is fuller and more exotic but this may ultimately offer a better combination of power and freshness.

Another gorgeous white Graves from this vintage, this wine offers up notes of honeysuckle, lanolin, sweet citrus, and hints of orange peel as well as quince and white currants. It is medium to full-bodied, with fresh acidity, subtle nuances of smoky oak, and a long finish. It should drink well for 15 or more years. Feb 2009, www.robertparker.com