|
|
B-21 Top Recommendation
Read More
Featured in a range of formats and vintages cellared in perfect conditions, Sauternes fans and those looking to explore them won't need an excuse or special occasion to enjoy this thrilling, top scoring selection from Chateau Suduiraut, boasting fresh, opulent honeyed fruit perfectly balanced by savory acidity, offering a not to be missed opportunity for both collectors and newbies to stock up on at bargain pricing and enjoy over the next decades.
Set among exquisite gardens designed by the creator of the Sun King's grounds at the Palace of Versailles, the majestic two-story turret-flanked Chateau Suduiraut is one of Bordeaux's most beautiful estates, located just to the north of Chateau d'Yquem with 92 hectares of sloping organically farmed vineyards planted with mostly Semillon vines averaging 30 years of age. After harvesting the botrytized grapes over multiple passes with strict selection employed in the vineyard, longtime technical director Pierre Montegut vinified the Chateau Suduiraut Sauternes in French oak, blending mostly Semillon with small amounts of Sauvignon Blanc, then aged it on the lees in 50% new French oak barrels for 18-24 months, yielding its signature perfumed aromas with rich and decadent spiced fruit, balanced with energetic acidity and epic length. Describing it as "a mood altering wine," the 95 pt. 2004 Suduiraut boasts "a range of honeyed flavors that never seems to stop" according to Wine and Spirits, while the Wine Advocate's Robert Parker Jr. declares the 95 pt. 2006 Suduiraut "unctuously textured, with superb, full-bodied richness, good underlying acidity, and a stunning finish." Boasting "a beautiful razor-sharp line of acidity that effortlessly slices through all that pure botrytised fruit," Neal Martin of Vinous calls the 98 pt. 2009 Suduiraut a "benchmark Suduiraut" and declares the 96 pt. 2010 Chateau Suduiraut "simply magnificent" and "a candidate for best Sauternes of the vintage." Vinous critic Antonio Galloni declares the "fabulous" 97 pt. 2016 Suduiraut "such a gorgeous wine," delivering a remarkable combination of flavor and intensity yet remaining "gracious and classy," while the Wine Enthusiast's Roger Voss calls it "a great wine with a long-term future."
Whether selecting a few favorites or mixing a case, these magical vintages of Chateau Suduiraut are crafted to reveal their layered complexity over the next decades, their rich palate deftly balanced by an energizing lift of acidity, guaranteeing a pleasurable evolution for years to come. Christian Seely, AXA's charismatic managing director behind Chateau Suduiraut, describes tasting these elegantly crafted Sauternes well: "It is above all a supremely pleasurable wine, and one that needs no excuse, context or pairing: You can just open it for the sheer pleasure of the thing." Never more true at these exceptional bargain prices. |
|
|
The 2017 Chateau Suduiraut is 94% Semillon and 6% Sauvignon Blanc, with 240 grams of residual sugar. It has rocking botrytis notes of honeyed citrus, orange blossom, white flowers, and caramelized peach. These carry to a full-bodied, beautifully pure, precise Sauternes that has good acidity, flawless balance, and just fabulous purity of fruit. It's a brilliant Sauternes.
98 points, Jeb Dunnuck (Feb 2020)
The 2017 Suduiraut, with 150 g/L residual sugar, is pale lemon-gold in color. It needs a little coaxing before releasing a full array of gregarious grapefruit, honeyed peaches, and lemon curd inspired scents, followed by hints of sea spray, lime blossoms, yuzu, and coriander seed. The palate is super-intense, offering tight-knit citrus and stone fruit layers with a racy backbone of freshness and seductive creaminess, finishing with epic length.
97+ points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Independent (Dec 2022)
Just as impressive as it was in barrel, the 2017 Suduiraut is positively dazzling. Pineapple, orange peel, crême brulée, white flowers, honey, apricot and hazelnut are some of the many nuances that develop in the glass. Rich and heady, yet also wonderfully vibrant, the 2017 is developing into a stunning Suduiraut. The 140 grams of residual sugar is very nicely integrated. Only the fruit from the last two picks made it into the Grand Vin.
97 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous (Mar 2020)
Yum. Aromas of orange blossom, lemon curd, dried apricot and cooked pears fill the glass. It’s full-bodied and very sweet, yet tangy and lively from the vibrant acidity. Extremely long on the finish. Better in 2025, but already a joy to taste.
97 points, James Suckling (Jun 2021)
Top Quality Store
