97pts Vinous

The 2016 Suduiraut is fabulous. Crème brûlée, passion fruit, tangerine peel and exotic floral notes all race out of the glass. I marvel at how Suduiraut can deliver so much flavor intensity and yet remain so gracious and classy. The 140 grams of residual sugar are very well integrated. This is such a gorgeous wine.

97pts The Wine Independent

The 2016 Suduiraut has 145 g/l of residual sugar. Pale lemon-gold in color, it flies out of the glass with vivacious, youthful scents of lemon tart, lime cordial, and orange blossom, plus suggestions of nutmeg, marzipan, and creme brulee. The rich, seductive, full-bodied palate really packs a powerful wallop of fruit, supported by a seamless line of freshness and a decadently oily texture, finishing long and perfumed.

96pts Wine Enthusiast

Barrel Sample. This is a dense wine, full of rich fruit, bitter orange and apricot. Its ripe fruit is balanced by the intense botrytis while it is also freshened by the wine's acidity. This is a great wine with a long-term future. 

95pts Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The pale lemon-gold colored 2016 Suduiraut features vibrant lime blossom, candied peel, white peaches, guava and exotic spice notes on the nose with nuances of marzipan and crème brûlée. Rich, layered and powerful in the mouth, it has a gorgeous creamy texture, lovely vibrancy and a long, spicy finish.

95pts Jeb Dunnuck

As to the Sauternes, the 2016 Château Suduiraut boasts a medium gold color and a fresh, clean, beautifully perfumed bouquet of orange blossom, honeyed pineapple, and flowers, with notable botrytis, which can be lacking in a number of Sauternes in 2016. With moderate acidity, a fleshy, full-bodied texture, and loads of fruits, it’s geared more toward drinking over the coming 10-15 years than any over-the-top cellaring.

95pts James Suckling

A very concentrated Sauternes with a cornucopia of dried papaya, pineapple and mango, plus candied orange and tropical flowers that bowl you over. Although it stays in the background, there’s great acidity in this wine that keeps it very straight and clean, in spite of the luscious extravagance. Bright, citrusy finish. Drink or hold.

93pts Wine Spectator

This is a powerful style, with a mix of creamed pear, fig, papaya and persimmon flavors liberally laced with crème brûlée and orange blossom honey notes, through a ginger-tinged finish. In line with the vintage's forward persona, but this has notably more breadth and depth than most of its peers. Best from 2023 through 2038. 5,333 cases made.

Tasting Notes

Château Suduiraut 2016 reveals a fine golden colour, at first the nose is fresh and delicate. Initially marked by notes of fruit such as yellow peach, candied apricot and kumquat, it leads into aromas from barrel ageing like vanilla, light caramel and spices. On airing, floral and spicy fragrances develop, in particular rose and curry. The attack is soft and fresh. The palate is smooth and velvety with aromas of red fruit, orange and candied pineapple. The finish perpetuates this fresh and elegant mouthfeel. It is invigorated by spices, candied fruit, acacia honey and liquorice.
Château Suduiraut 2016 is still very young, but it displays an appealing and very elegant character that already make it most enjoyable. It benefits from great ageing potential.

Pierre Montégut - Technical Director - March 2019
Bottling date: July 31st 2018

About the Winery

Château Suduiraut, classed as a Premier Cru in 1855, is made from grapes selected from the finest terroirs of the property.
This wine is hand crafted at every stage of its elaboration and reveals remarkable finesse and complexity and a golden colour reminiscent of the sun that made it possible. With age the bright gold evolves to a dark amber colour. With an extensive life-span, it powerfully and harmoniously combines fruit and floral aromas with roasted and candied notes.

Blend: Sémillon 94%, Sauvignon blanc 6%