Château Suduiraut 2021

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 2021 has a beautiful golden colour and an intense nose, marked by fresh, candied citrus fruit. Notes of ageing, such as grilled hazelnut and vanilla, complete the picture in an elegant way. The palate is unctuous, with good body and plenty of tension. There are flavours of candied citrus fruit, yellow peach and sweet spices. The finish is long, peppery and fruity, sustained by a lovely freshness. This is a fresh, classic Botrytis style, with great purity and elegance." - Credits : Pierre Montégut, Technical Director, October 2023

"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." - Yohan Castaing, The Wine Advocate, (06/06/2024), Ratings: 98+, Drink: 2030-2070

"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." - Jeb Dunnuck, (04/03/2024), Ratings: 97

"This is gorgeous, jumps out of the glass with its grated ginger, white fleshy pear and luscious quince, 138g/l sugar, 50% new oak. A brilliant Sauternes, this is gorgeous, just a lovely wine, but only 1hl/h yield." - Jane Anson, (04/07/2022), Ratings: 9