2005 Suduiraut, Sauternes (375ml)

“What a wine for the vintage, with spices and furniture wax undertones, then dried citrus fruit. Great intensity in this, powerful stuff. Perhaps the best 2005.” (04/2012)

“A blend of 97% Sémillon and a splash of Sauvignon Blanc for freshness, this 2005 was aged in 65% new oak for 18 months. A perfumed nose of dried osmanthus blossom, saffron, honeyed orange peel and dried mango. With sugar level at a high point of 163g/L, it's incredibly luscious and smooth on the palate with great intensity. Lifted by the ethereal acidity (3.6g/l), The purity of tangerine peel, dried apricot and yellow fruits are spiced up with white pepper and ground ginger, leading to a never-ending finish. (SW)” (11/2023)

“Mostly Semillon yet with a splash of Sauvignon, the 2005 Château Suduiraut offers up a rockingly good perfume of orange blossom, caramelized grapefruit, flower oil, spice, and brioche. This carries to a medium to full-bodied, ripe, yet vibrant, elegant Sauternes that has a balanced, layered, light on its feet style that makes it such a joy to drink.” (04/2024)

“With 163 grams per liter of residual sugar, the 2005 Suduiraut exhales a deep, complex bouquet of exotic fruits, pineapple, apricot and spices despite a slight touch of volatile acidity. Medium to full-bodied, rich and concentrated with a stunning "rôti"—the French term for the consequence of noble rot—it’s satiny and chiseled with racy acids and a long, mineral and saline finish underlined by gastronomic bitterness. This splendid Sauternes, a blend of 97% Sémillon and 3% Sauvignon Blanc, was matured for 18 months in oak barrels (65% new and 35% one year) and was harvested in four tries between September 26 and October 17. (JC)” (06/2024)

“Bright gold. Perfectly balanced. Not sweet, and yet explosively sweet with flavors of fresh nectarine, scents of jasmine and honeysuckle. The sweetness pours out of the freshness, so it's impossible to taste them apart. The flavors last, perhaps because it's the kind of wine you'll want to roll around in your mouth over and over. Glorious.” (10/2008)

“The 2005 Suduiraut is such a classy wine. Crème brûlée, orange marmalade, vanilla bean, mint, apricot, honey, hazelnut and truffle lend a sense of exoticism throughout. The 2005 is unctuous but not heavy. It perhaps lacks the dimension of the very best years, but that in no way detracts from the pleasure it provides. To be perfectly frank, its hard to put the glass down. (AG)” (04/2021)

“Picked over a period of eight weeks, this wine shows the class and care resulting from such efforts. Citrus and white flower aromas lead to a wine that is not overtly rich, with subtle shades of botrytis and orange marmalade flavors. The acidity is vibrant, fresh, a great balance. (RV)” (06/2008)

“The quality of the botrytis is very exciting in the 2005 Suduiraut, as it seems very clean and really lifts the aromatics on the wine at this early stage. The simply beautiful bouquet offers up a classy mélange of pear, honeycomb, pineapple, acacia blossoms, a gentle touch of grassiness and a deft framing of vanillin oak. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, deep, fresh and very light on its feet, with excellent mid-palate depth, impeccable balance and lovely length and grip on the tangy, focused finish. This wine blossomed stunningly with extended aeration, becoming more floral, more perfumed and more elegant as it sat in the glass. A great vintage for Suduiraut. (JG) 93+” (09/2009)

“Shows dried pineapple, honey, pear, caramel and piecrust aromas. Full-bodied and very sweet, with spice, coconut, tropical fruit and apple tart flavors. Long and dense, yet lively.” (03/2008)

“Burnished gold colour. Rich and complex with caramel, confit-fruit, currant and spice notes. Rich and full on the palate with just enough tension to hold everything together. Perhaps a glow of alcohol on the finish (curious as the degree is not that high). Punchy and for the long haul. 17.5+/20 points (JL)” (12/2023)