Château Suduiraut 2019

A historic vineyard of Sauternes, Château Suduiraut was recognized as a Premier Cru Classé in the 1855 Classification and stands today as one of the appellation's most prestigious estates. Located near the legendary Château d’Yquem, it is also one of the four largest vineyards in Sauternes with 91 hectares under vine. 

The estate’s origins trace back to 1580, when Nicole d’Allard married Léonard de Suduiraut, lending the château its name. It was later renamed Cru du Roy in the late 18th century by Jean Joseph Duroy, Baron of Noaillan, a descendant of the Suduiraut family. The estate has since evolved into a benchmark of excellence, and is now owned by AXA Millésimes, also known for Château Pichon Longueville Baron in Pauillac.

Château Suduiraut is distinguished by a delicate balance between climate and terroir. The vineyard, certified High Environmental Value (HEV 3), is planted on gravelly sandy clay soils, ideal for the development of noble rot. With a planting ratio of 90% Sémillon and 10% Sauvignon Blanc, high vine density (7,000 vines/ha), and an average vine age of 33 years, the estate consistently produces wines of exceptional depth and elegance. 

The winemaking process at Château Suduiraut involves a labor-intensive technique called "noble rot," or botrytis cinerea, which causes the grapes to become partially raisined and concentrates their sugar content. This process results in wines with a unique flavor profile that is both sweet and complex, with notes of honey, apricot, and orange peel. 

Château Suduiraut produces several different wines Sauternes and dry white wines, including the grand vin Château Suduiraut, as well as a second wine called Castelnau de Suduiraut. The winery also produces a limited edition cuvée called "Lions de Suduiraut," which is only made in exceptional vintages.

The wine is a blend of Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc, sourced from the estate’s finest terroirs. It reveals a radiant golden color and offers sublime floral and fruity aromas, with notes of honey, apricot, and orange peel. On the palate, it is a perfect balance of elegance, freshness, and harmony, with a long, graceful finish that showcases its complexity and richness.  Each bottle is a true expression of this exceptional terroir.

Overall, Château Suduiraut is considered one of the top producers of sweet white wines in the world and has won numerous awards and accolades for its wines.

"Château Suduiraut 2019 reveals a beautiful, intense golden yellow colour. It offers an open nose of yellow fruits such as peach and nectarine, vanilla followed by a touch of oak. After aeration, it develops candied fruits, mineral and iodine notes. The attack in the mouth is unctuous, with a velvety mouthfeel. There are aromas of peach, spices such as curry and a hint of saffron. The balance is very interesting and gives the wine great elegance. The finish is round, with notes of white pepper and Espelette chilli, combined with a lovely freshness." - Credits: Pierre Montégut, Technical Director, July 2024

"The 2019 Suduiraut is absolutely stunning. Rich, heady and explosive, but in the vibrant style that marks the wines of today, Suduiraut is a real head-turner. An exotic melange of apricot jam, orange confit, spice, candied ginger and pineapple all soar out of the glass. The 2019 is creamy and intense, but not at all heavy. The 130 grams of residual sugar are perfectly integrated. Magnificent." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous, (02/28/2022), Ratings: 98

"The 2019 Suduiraut is consistent with my note from barrel, delivering quince, wild honey, wild peach and pineapple on a nose that is beautifully defined and so disarmingly pure that you can barely extract your snout from the glass. The palate is perfectly balanced with superb viscosity, quite intense yet poised, and maybe even more tensile than when I tasted it last year. Outstanding." - Neal Martin, Vinous, (02/17/2022), Ratings: 97

"Acacia, pink grapefruit and flint sets the pace, and this is an extremely successful Suduiraut. I love the grated ginger and lime zest that runs right through the citrus and mango fruits. Well controlled with fresh acidities, this is great quality, measured in its flavour delivery, with everything tantalising drawn out. 50% new oak, 130g/l residual sugar. Harvest September 17 to October 30, just 7hl/h yield." - Jane Anson, (01/07/2022), Ratings: 96, Drink: 2022-2045

"Composed of 94% Semillon and 6% Sauvignon Blanc harvested from the 17th of September to the 30th of October (three selective pickings in total), the 2019 Suduiraut is aging for 16-20 months in French oak barrels, 50% new. The alcohol came in at 14.1% with 130 grams per liter of residual sugar. Pale to medium lemon-gold colored, the nose is oh-so-tantalizing with intense notes of candied ginger, beeswax, fenugreek and crystalized citrus peel over a core of pineapple upside-down cake, honey coated almonds, pink grapefruit and peach preserves with a waft of musk perfume. The rich, concentrated palate explodes with spicy fireworks in the mouth, complementing the the exotic fruit and peach preserves layers, with a racy line to lend just enough lift, finishing with epic length and depth." - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Advocate, (6/17/2020), Ratings: 94-96