2017 Château Suduiraut, Cru Classé Sauternes

The 2017 Suduiraut stands out for its stunning interplay of botrytis-inflected richness and freshness. Candied orange peel, passionfruit, mint and lemon confit are some of the many notes that develop in the glass. Medium in body, with terrific freshness and energy, Suduiraut has so much to offer. Only the fruit from the last two picks made it into the Grand Vin.

The 2017 Suduiraut was picked via three tries, with 75% of the crop picked in the second tries from 4 to 15 October. The harvest finished on 19 October, one of the last in Sauternes and after Yquem. “We were touched by the frost but not in the top terroir,” winemaker Pierre Montegut told me. It is matured in around 50% new oak. It has an expressive, harmonious bouquet with dried honey, white flowers and a touch of gripe water (a children’s medicine for those in the United States. I have been informed there is no equivalent on the other side of the Atlantic). The palate is well balanced with a viscous opening, well judged acidity, plenty of botrytized fruit with a long, lightly spiced finish that feels so fresh and vital. This is a superb Suduiraut from Pierre Montegut and his team.

Complex aroma ranging from pineapple to rosemary/mint and everything in between. Fat and full in the mouth, fills every corner but draws in to a fresh persistent finish. Lip-smacking.

What a crazy Sauternes. The density and sweetness are amazing, yet at the same time it’s fresh and bright with an inspirational energy and dryness at the end. Phenolic and textured.