2019 vintage. Second wine of the incredible Château Suduiraut. Light golden colour. Beautiful nose, blending exotic fruits, flowers, and the typical roasted botrytis aromas. Delicious in the mouth, with bright fruit and vibrant acidity. With its impeccable purity and balance, this can be enjoyed young, but will keep for at least a decade. Very high standard for a second wine, one can imagine what the grand vin would be! — a month ago
Prachtige Sauternes. Deze jaargang is geweldig, met een heerlijke balans door de mooie zuren. Waar ik over het algemeen geen groot fan ben van Sauternes, heb ik hier ontzettend van genoten! Gedronken om onze eerste plaats te vieren voor het NK blindproeven. — a month ago
Alive and kicking! And beautiful at that. The balance you want and come to expect in a top notch Sauternes between sugar, alcohol, fruits.
— 13 days ago
Château Suduiraut – Sémillon 2003 (Sauternes)
Graves, Bordeaux – France 🇫🇷
Overview
Crafted primarily from Sémillon, Château Suduiraut is one of Sauternes’ premier estates, producing wines shaped by noble rot (Botrytis cinerea). The warm 2003 vintage gave concentration and richness, while time in bottle has deepened its complexity. (Educational note: Sémillon’s thick skins make it particularly susceptible to botrytis, producing the honeyed intensity Sauternes is famous for.)
Aromas & Flavors
Opulent notes of dried apricot, candied orange peel, and golden raisin layered with honey, saffron, and caramelized pineapple. Secondary tones of almond, vanilla, and beeswax show the maturity of two decades.
Mouthfeel
Lusciously full-bodied, with velvety sweetness cut by balanced acidity. The palate is rich and textured, gliding into a lingering finish of dried fruit, spice, and honeyed depth.
Food Pairings
A classic match with foie gras or blue cheese. Also pairs beautifully with fruit tarts, crème brûlée, or even spicy Asian dishes for contrast.
Verdict
A magnificent aged Sauternes — decadent yet balanced, carrying the warmth of 2003 with elegance. Honeyed, textural, and endlessly layered, this is a benchmark for botrytised sweet wines. 🍯🍷cheers!
Did You Know?
Sémillon makes up the majority of Sauternes blends, often complemented by Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle. Its thick skin and natural waxiness make it ideal for noble rot, creating the world’s most legendary dessert wines.
Collector’s Rarity 📌
Château Suduiraut, a Premier Cru Classé estate from the 1855 classification, produces limited amounts of Sauternes each year — with older vintages like 2003 increasingly rare treasures in the market. — 10 days ago
It's after its peak, to my tasting — 14 days ago
Andrew Cullimore
Medium light lemon gold , quite young looking . Aromatic apricot , white flowers , saffron , honey and citrus peel . On the palate quite rich with barley sugar , saffron , lemon peel , apricot , decent acidity , and ok length with apricot and honied lemon peel finish . Not overly complex but well balanced , with ok acidity , drinking perfectly now . Now and over the next 10 years — 10 days ago