CHÂTEAU SUDUIRAUT

Vibrant and dense, the 2009 Suduiraut reveals a complex, deep bouquet of ripe orchard fruits, dry apricots, spices, pineapple, exotic fruits and spices. This is followed by a medium to full-bodied, rich and concentrated palate with a seamless texture and a fleshy core of fruit that finishes long, mineral and saline, underlining beautifully controlled power. With 160 grams of residual sugar, the highest level in this vertical tasting, this blend of 93% Sémillon and 7% Sauvignon Blanc was matured for 18 months in 50% new oak barrels and 50% one-year-old barrels. Harvested in three tries, the yield stands at 19 hectoliters per hectare. Drinking range: 2019 - 2060 Rating: 97 Yohan Castaing, www.robertparker.com (Jun 2024)

The 2009 Suduiraut, aged in 55% new oak, is surprisingly closed at first but it soon awakens with aeration and begins revving its motor. It has a divine bouquet with honey, chamomile, yellow flowers and nectarine, building layer upon layer. The palate is medium-bodied with a viscous opening, a beautiful razor-sharp line of acidity that effortlessly slices through all that pure botrytised fruit. Notes of quince and clementine emerge as it fans out wonderfully on the finish. It remains the benchmark Suduiraut of recent years. Period. 153gm/L residual sugar, 14.0% alcohol, 3.6gm/L total acidity. Tasted at the Suduiraut vertical at the château. Drinking range: 2020 - 2070 Rating: 98 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Mar 2019)

(93% semillon and 7% sauvignon blanc; 14% alcohol; 3.7 g/l total acidity; 160 g/l residual sugar) Bright yellow-gold. Downright spectacular nose displays intense aromas of ripe pineapple, caramelized banana, dried mango, saffron and honey. Then rich, fat and opulent, with an almost decadent sweetness to its flavors of ripe citrus fruit, pineapple, papaya and minerals. Lively acidity gives this large-scaled and rather powerful wine a seamless quality and an almost light touch, and extends the flavors on the long, pure finish. Made from fruit harvested in just four days from September 17 through 20, in three successive tries This 2009 should age extremely well, and your grandchildren may enjoy it as much as you will. Rating: 93-96 Ian d'Agata - Stephen Tanzer website