2023 Château Suduiraut, Cru Classé Sauternes

The 2023 Suduiraut (100% Sémillon) is a real stunner. Light on its feet yet wonderfully deep, the 2023 offers up a heady mix of tangerine oil, mint, white flowers, apricot and passion fruit. Readers will find a Sauternes that is more finesse than power. The 2023 is essentially a blend of three picks. The first was done at the end of September and accounted for 20% of the crop. The core of the vineyard, about 75%, was picked in a day ten window in October, following the September rains. A smaller third pick rounded out the harvest.

The 2023 Suduiraut is pure Sémillon that was picked from the end of September with more passerillage berries. After the rain, the first botrytis picking began on October 1 and lasted over the next 12 days, when botrytization was rapid. Seventy percent of the crop was picked on this date, which was essential for maintaining purity of fruit. The harvest concluded on October 17 after three tries through the vineyard. Matured in 50% new oak, it has a lovely, beguiling bouquet with dried honey, quince, almond and saffron aromas that are beautifully defined. The palate is well balanced with a spicy, tensile opening. Very impressive richness matches with a silver bead of acidity here. This is armed with immense purity on the finish that effortlessly manages the 150g/L residual sugar. Supremely gifted Suduiraut, ahoy.

The purity of the botrytis grabs your attention, with density and intensity to the dried fruit, sweetness and length. Very spicy and long. Almost oily. Really rich. 150g/L residual sugar. 100% semillon.