2011 Chateau Suduiraut Premier Cru Classe, Sauternes 12×37.5cl

JancisRobinson.com 18

Divine vanilla and mixed-peel aromas, cinnamon and saffron. Rare yet generous, with burnt sugar and blossom on the finish. Not at all heavy, but loads of sweetness. Lemon fruit gives zingy persistence. Not the most botrytic of styles – eg not mushroomy – but there is a touch of soy savoury character too. (RH) [18/11/2021]

Anticipated maturity: 2015-2036

Neal Martin 92

The 2011 Suduiraut, picked from 12 September to 5 October in three tries through the vineyard, has an intriguing bouquet. It does not possess the thrilling intensity of the 2014 and 2015 tasted alongside, replicating the wet wool, almost Loire-like bouquet that I picked up upon in previous encounters. The palate is well balanced with a slightly viscous texture. This is a gentle Suduiraut, missing the complexity of a top vintage but fresh and generous. It is linear in style, some might say conservative with just a touch of gingerbread on the finish. Fine. 148gm/L residual sugar, 13.5% alcohol. Tasted at the Suduiraut vertical at the chateau. [Neal Martin, 27/03/2019]

Anticipated maturity: 2019-2040

Wine Advocate 93

Tasted blind at the Sauternes 2011 horizontal tasting. The Chateau Suduiraut 2011 has a muffled nose at first: dried honey and quince, wet wool and marzipan scents that gradually open up with aeration. Coming back after 10 minutes there is a heartwarming gingerbread note. The palate is viscous on the entry and full of tension. There is a keen line of acidity here, quite linear at first, but it fans out nicely toward the finish and offers notes of honey, mandarin and even a touch of rhubarb! This is a class act, a Sauternes that does not need to shout about its inherent qualities. [Neal Martin, 01/02/2015]

Anticipated maturity: 2015-2045

Vinous 95

Bright yellow-gold. Knockout nose offers poached pear, honeyed mango, guava, baking spices and saffron, complicated by very pure, smoky, marmalady botrytis. Sweet, dense and very rich, boasting a compelling creamy texture and outstanding depth to its guava and mandarin orange flavors. Lively, harmonious acidity gives the middle palate a laser-like precision. Finishes bright and long, with lingering notes of baked apple and pear. An outstanding Suduiraut. [Ian D’Agata, 07/01/2014]