Suduiraut 2022

Darker gold than most. Complex nose and very sweet with a patina of sophistication – very strong botrytis notes, not just sweetness. Inspiring! Drink 2026-2056.

One of the finest Sauternes I've been lucky enough to taste in some time, the 2022 Château Suduiraut is 100% Sémillon that hit 13.9% natural alcohol, with 190 grams per liter of residual sugar. Still resting in 70% new barrels, this monster of a Sauternes offers a huge nose of honeyed citrus, orange marmalade, spice, brioche, and almond paste. Full-bodied, rich, and massively concentrated, nevertheless, it somehow stays flawlessly balanced, fresh, and light on its feet.

The 2022 Suduiraut presents a bewitching bouquet of dried honey, lanolin, saffron and light orange pith scents, all harmonious and well delineated. This might be better than I estimated from barrel. The palate is balanced with great density and weight, a viscous texture, a fine bead of acidity and a hint of passion fruit toward the intense finish. Outstanding. (190 g/l residual sugar)

The 2022 Suduiraut comes from a quick and late harvest in October (three tries between 17 and 27 October with some passerillé grapes in September). Bunches were affected by botrytis but did not concentrate, at least not until a period of wind and warmth. Wild honey, quince and touches of marmalade on the nose, this opens nicely in the glass. The palate is pure and viscous in texture, with marmalade, again, and dried honey. Very open and approachable on the finish. Not profound, but quite delicious. Christian Seely said he drank this for breakfast the previous day - why not? 2025-2055