2015 Suduiraut, Sauternes (375ml)

One of the most singular wines in this vertical tasting, the 2015 Suduiraut possesses a deep, complex bouquet of exotic fruits, pineapple, white flowers and ripe orchard fruits mingled with vanilla pod and menthol hints. Medium to full-bodied, rich and concentrated with an enveloping palate, it has a fleshy core of fruit, controlled power and a delicate, gourmand and penetrating finish. It elegantly combines finesse and power. One of my favorites, this blend of 94% Sémillon and 6% Sauvignon Blanc is a splendid bottle in the making after a minimum of 15-25 years in the cellar, even if it is approachable right now. Matured for 18 months in oak barrels (50% new and 50% one-year-old), it contains 138 grams per liter of residual sugar and was produced at a yield of 16 hectoliters per hectare. (YC) 98+

With near-perfect, best-in-class press, an exceptional vintage, a touch of bottle age, and one of Bordeaux’s premier producers behind it, 2015 Château Suduiraut is easily one of the sharpest buys in collectible wine—and an absolute joy to taste. Our recently landed parcel comes direct from the estate, and the 375ml format makes it an especially compelling addition to any cellar. I always recommend keeping Sauternes on hand, but if you're looking for an experience that shows the heights of the style—at a price that makes opening a bottle feel easy, and with impeccable provenance—this is it. Aromatically, it’s a panoply of stone fruit, kiwi, orange blossom, and ever-evolving nuance as it opens in the glass. On the palate, the texture is refined, but the flavor is explosive: grilled pineapple, honeycomb, peach, and Meyer lemon, with a sweetness and acidity in perfect harmony. The balance of botrytis, sugar, and freshness is masterful—rich but never fatiguing, endlessly complex, and deeply layered. This is a true rival to the greatest Sauternes of the past decade, and I think it might even give Yquem a run for its money in one of the region's great vintages, 2015. Open it now or cellar it for decades. Either way, if you keep just one Sauternes on hand, make it this one—it punches far above its price and delivers a world-class experience every time.