Chateau Suduiraut 2018

Deep gold; notes of candied fruit and dates; full-bodied, entirely shaped by its oily sweetness and maturation notes, very closed at this stage, needs to age.

Unctuous, full-throttle style with lots of apricot, glazed peach and marzipan notes rolled together, backed by brioche and toasted almond on the rich finish. Has the energy to pull it off in this vintage. Well done. Best from 2022 through 2032. 1,550 cases made.

Not the easiest vintage for Suduiraut, with a final yield of 5hl/ha in 2018, of which 40% went into the grand vin. It is rich and succulent, with a sense of confident spice. One for lovers of opulent Sauternes. Tasted twice; issues with first bottle.

Intense aromas of dried mushrooms, dried apricots, hazelnuts and citrus peel. Medium to full body with density and beauty. Flows across the palate with grace and interest. I like the salted caramel and dried fruit on the finish. Drink now or hold.

The 2018 Suduiraut is intense on the nose, featuring well-defined pure wild honey mixed with white flowers, quince and quite a strong petrol-like/Germanic note. The palate is very well balanced with a harmonious entry, well-judged acidity and great tension thanks to a bitter orange peel note that counterbalances the rich, honeyed fruit on the finish. Superb.

From incredibly low yields of only 5 hectoliters per hectare, the wine offers a mélange of ripe, tropical fruits, mango, pineapple, apricot, licorice and orange rind along with vanilla, honey and floral aromas. The wine is medium-bodied, fresh and sweet, with tones of orange tropical fruits, nuts, vanilla and honey on the palate and in the sweet, albeit subtle finish. This is the only vintage of Suduiraut produced from 100% Semillon.

Medium golden yellow with silver reflections. Ripe peach fruit, lanolin with some background notes of blossom honey, candied orange zest, a little caramel and a breath of white nougat on the nose. Fine oaky spice on the palate, delicately chocolaty, harmonious and already well developed with sweet tropical fruit on the finish, showing length and ageing potential. (2020-2050)

Wonderful grilled peach, orange blossom, apricot, and honeyed flower notes all emerge from the 2018 Chateau Suduiraut, a more medium to full-bodied, elegant Sauternes that has nicely integrated acidity, a lively, elegant mouthfeel, and outstanding length. I don't think it's one of the greats here, but it has ample character, stays light and graceful on the palate, and is already a joy to drink. It should evolve for 15+ years or so.

Kunz barrel sample 19: (100% Sémillon) Mineral, powerful, fresh bouquet, grapefruit, citrus, Alka‑Seltzer, apricot skin, pear syrup. Velvety, finely opulent, creamy palate with generous fruit, fine acidity, creamy sweetness, complex aromatics, long, full finish. Has room to improve.

(100% Sémillon) Mineral, powerful, fresh bouquet: grapefruit, citrus, Alka-Seltzer, apricot skin, pear butter. Velvety, finely opulent, creamy palate with intense fruit, fine acidity, creamy sweetness, complex aromatics, long, full finish. Can improve further. 18/20 2024 - 2050

The 2018 Suduiraut is medium lemon-gold in color. It leaps from the glass with immediate scents of baked apples, apricot preserves, straw, and praline, with a hint of crème caramel. On the palate, the richness is well restrained, with just enough freshness and a decadently spicy finish.

Tiny harvest, the noble bitter-citrus fruit of the cru is present, but without the voluptuousness of a truly great vintage.

Intense nose of candied apricot and orange tart. The texture is deep but more powerful than sensual, even though the sweetness is abundant. A Sauternes with real substance and a magnificent length, drawing its energy straight from the soils of Preignac.

Suduiraut has a habit of showcasing its subtlety through its power—and that’s quite a challenge! Imagine running a marathon while weightlifting at the same time, smiling for the cameras! Well, Suduiraut is just like that! It’s a muscular, opulent marathoner! The bouquet is intense and complex. On the palate, there is richness, breadth, and freshness. The aromatic character builds in intensity along the palate and is ideally supported by the acidic structure on the finish. Long finish. A truly great Suduiraut!

The nose is aromatic, finely tight and offers complexity as well as freshness. It reveals notes of candied peach and, more slightly, flowers, ripe citrus and verbena, combined with fine touches of candied apple and mango, a hint of exotic fruit, as well as fine points of candied citrus. The palate is fruity, balanced and offers good definition, juiciness, a delicate acid frame, finesse and a slight vinous edge. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of stewed apple, stewed peach and, more slightly, vanilla, combined with touches of candied citrus, fine toasted nuances, caramelization, a hint of exotic fruit, as well as a touch of nuts, almond and a discreet hint of bitterness on the finish. Good length. Very fine firmness on the finish. Good persistence on hints of exotic fruit and citrus.