2020 Chateau Suduiraut Sauternes Blanc Premier Cru
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Tasting notes
With 137 grams per liter of residual sugar, the 2020 Suduiraut possesses an exotic, deep bouquet of litchi, mango, pineapple, peach and ripe orchard fruits. Medium to full-bodied, dense and concentrated with a stunning rôti—the French term for the consequence of noble rot—it’s layered and textured with a fleshy core of fruit and a perfumed finish with notes of curry leaf and ginger, underlined by a gastronomic bitterness. The harvest took place between September 16 and November 5, encompassing one of the longest in the contemporary estate’s history yet yielding a mere 8.5 hectoliters per hectare. This 100% Sémillon was matured for 20 months in 50% new oak barrels and 50% one-year-old barrels and will offer a broad drinking window.
Critic scores
James Suckling
James Lawther MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
Tasted blind. A hint of nail varnish as well as ripe citrus but not much botrytis character. Simple and sweet, with confit lemon. (JH)
100% Sémillon. Harvested 16 September to 5 November (4 tris). Yield 8.5 hl/ha. Aged 16–20 months in oak barrels (50% new, 50% one year). RS 137 g/l, TA 3.8. Golden hue. Surprising but distinctive lychee/Gewürztraminer fragrance. Touch of well-integrated oak on the palate. Rich, lush and concentrated but with a refreshing line of acidity. Clean, dry, minerally finish. (JL)
On another level, the 2020 Château Suduiraut is flat-out stunning and boasts a phenomenal array of orange blossom, honeyed minerality, lychee nut, caramelized peach, and assorted spices. Rich, full-bodied, and concentrated, it nevertheless has the vintage’s riveting purity and precision. Sauternes doesn't get much better.