2001 Suduiraut, Sauternes (OWC)

“From a half bottle. Now a little over two decades old, this wine presents a richly burnished orange gold hue in the glass. There is great expression on the nose, rich in sweet complexity, with flavours of caramelised orange, praline and buttered toast, with more distinctive notes of roasted coffee bean and biscuit. There is a slightly high-toned edge to it, but the overarching impression here is enticing and fine. This would seem to be confirmed by the beautifully seductive palate, which is brimming with toasted notes of high-toned orange, praline and biscuit. This is absolutely delicious, a quite seductive composition for its age, yet it has the requisite grip and tension beneath. Long, textural, energetic and charged, a quite remarkable wine. It has decades in it yet; drink or hold as you see fit.” (11/2023)

“A prodigious effort, possibly the finest Suduiraut since 1959, the medium gold-colored 2001 offers notes of creme brulee, caramelized citrus, Grand Marnier, honeysuckle, and other exotic fruits as well as a pleasant touch of oak. With terrific acidity, a voluptuous/unctuous palate, and sweet, powerful flavors buttressed by crisp acidity, it is a phenomenal Sauternes. (RP)” (06/2004)

“Gorgeous aromas of honey, passion fruit, mango and candied lemon rind. Full-bodied and ultraconcentrated, yet balanced and refined. It lasts for minutes on the palate. This has just about everything in the right place. Stunning. *Collectible, Top 100 Wines of 2004* (JS)” (09/2004)

“This has rich caramelised nectarine and apricot fruits, a sense of uplift and steel through the core. It is sweet in its texture but not in its expression, and there is such a lift through the finish that you feel confident it has a long life ahead. On the more savoury spectrum of fruit, white pear dipped in saffron and cardamom. Yet again when you come back after 20 minutes it is the dried apricots that take the lead. Good quality, concentrated and pointed. 150g/l residual sugar. 40% new oak. (JA)” (01/2021)

“The 2001 Suduiraut has a very well-defined bouquet of marmalade, honeysuckle, touches of kerosene and pine, all focused and vigorous. The palate is balanced with a fine bead of acidity, fresh and vibrant, featuring Seville orange marmalade mixed with orange peel, peach and wild honey; it displays a little more delineation than I have noticed compared to previous bottles, and great cohesion and persistence on the finish. Excellent. (NM)” (09/2021)

“The brilliance of the 2001 vintage in Sauternes is apparent from the color and the classical scent of sweet William in this youthful wine. It matches the smokiness of botrytis to the nerve of acidity, in combination, they feel like an electric current running through the round, supple, honeyed nectarine flavors. Castelnau comes mainly from one sector of the estate, a different selection from Suduiraut. The finesse of the wine is already apparent, but it will need years to mellow and fulfill its potential.” (10/2006)

“A great Sauternes vintage from an impeccable property that's already drinking well but has a great future ahead of it, too. On the richer side. 18/20 points (JR)” (07/2025)