Suduiraut 2021

Very intense spices on the nose with nutmeg, cinnamon, dried apples, apple tart, lemon peel and hints of brown sugar. Full-bodied and very sweet but not at all cloying. The center palate is more like preserved fruit than dried fruit. Mandarins, clementines and peach tart in a patisserie. The finish is endless. Lightly salty. Three pickings. 100% semillon for only the second time in the history of the estate. 138 g/L of residual sugar. One of the best Sauternes I have had in a long, long time. Drink or hold.

In 2021, Suduiraut navigated through a challenging "annus horribilis," enduring significant losses from spring frost and downy mildew, nearly decimating the entire crop. However, amidst this adversity, the 2021 Suduiraut emerges as a real gem. Crafted solely from Sémillon grapes and yielding a minuscule crop of one hectoliter per hectare, this vintage is nothing short of remarkable, possessing a deep, complex bouquet of spices, vanilla pod, exotic fruits, ripe orchard fruits, herbs, flowers and menthol. Medium to full-bodied, it exudes concentration and richness, enveloping the palate with controlled power and impeccable balance. Its lively acidity complements a fleshy fruit core, culminating in a long, mineral-laden and precisely articulated finish. This vintage is one of the most refined and perfumed expressions ever produced at Suduiraut and could earn the maximum score in future years. Kudos to the team for crafting such an exceptional wine under challenging circumstances. Residual sugar: 138 grams per liter.

Gorgeous stuff, the 2021 Château Suduiraut pretty much stopped me in my tracks, and it's up there with some of the finest Sauternes out there. Caramelized mint, honeyed orange, and exotic, tropical, floral notes all soar from the glass, and this beauty hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a pure, layered, seamless mouthfeel, integrated acidity, and a great finish. Don't miss it.