| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Sauternes and Barsac |
| Colour | Sweet White |
| Type | Still |
This superb Sauternes property is owned by AXA Millesimes and overseen by Christian Seely who has done such a brilliant job at Quinta do Noval and Pichon Baron.
The 2018 Suduiraut is intense on the nose, featuring well-defined pure wild honey mixed with white flowers, quince and quite a strong petrol-like/Germanic note. The palate is very well balanced with a harmonious entry, well-judged acidity and great tension thanks to a bitter orange peel note that counterbalances the rich, honeyed fruit on the finish. Superb. 2024 - 2050
Crafted entirely from Sémillon grapes, a decision influenced by the challenges of a year that saw the estate lose half its crop to downy mildew, the 2018 Suduiraut evokes a floral, exuberant bouquet of rose, fresh grapes, Gewürztraminer grape and spices mingled with notes of exotic fruits. Medium to full-bodied, rich and concentrated with a delicate, precise mid-palate, it’s tense and ethereal with bright acids and a long, penetrating finish. Harvested across four tries or passes from October 10 to November 10, it underwent a 20-month maturation period in oak barrels and contains 125 grams per liter of residual sugar. Yields: five hectoliters per hectare.
Intense aromas of dried mushrooms, dried apricots, hazelnuts and citrus skin. Medium to full body with density and beauty. Flows across the palate with beauty and interest. I like the salted caramel and dried fruit at the finish. Drink or hold.
This is an enjoyable, luxurious and indulgent Sauternes. It’s extremely rich, dark and concentrated – in keeping with its tiny yields (5hl/ha in 2018, of which 40% went into the grand vin) - with attractive bitter orange flavours that cleverly work to give tension where otherwise the low acidity might lose tension. 125g/l residual sugar. The harvest ended on 9 November.
Drinking Window 2022 - 2040
Complex, almost savoury aroma of oak spice, botrytis almond paste and mealy barrel effect. On the palate, intense in flavour, powerful, spicy, more power than seduction.
Drink 2025-2038
There’s not much of the 2018 Château Suduiraut to go around but it’s a beautiful wine. Lovely orange blossom, honeyed apricots, white flowers, and subtle spice aromas and flavors all emerge from this full-bodied, decadent Sauternes that has a layered, pure, beautifully balanced profile. With good complexity, terrific balance, and a clean finish, it’s going to shine for 15-20 years.
(100 Semillon) | 50% new oak and 50% one-year-old oak for 16-20 months | 13.8% alc | 125 g/l residual sugar The yield was only 5 hl/ha and half of this went in to the second wine! Botrytis came very late because of the dry season. There is lovely balance and beautiful orange blossom fruit with honey and nougat, too. This is a very attractive wine on the demure and weightless side of the tracks.
The 2018 Suduiraut has a gorgeous bouquet with scents of acacia honey, dried mango, a touch of quince and tangerines, all nicely defined if not quite as compelling as the previous vintage. The palate is viscous on the entry, the fruit very pure and sensual, although perhaps the growing season denied Suduiraut the ability to make a really complex and intellectual Sauternes, despite their best efforts. It is a very refined and classy Suduiraut, though not one that I feel is guaranteed a place amongst the estate's best. 2023 - 2040
This has lots of concentration and mushroom and spice character. Plenty of botrytis. Dense and flavorful finish. Big wine for the vintage. Five hectoliters a hectare and half went into the second wine.
