2013 Château de Suduiraut 1er Cru Classe Sauternes, 375ml

“The Golden Harmony”

Glowing deep gold in the glass, this 2013 Château de Suduiraut is a study in balance, lush, honeyed opulence tempered by precision and lift. The nose unfurls with layers of apricot, candied orange peel, acacia honey, and toasted almonds, evolving into notes of saffron, crème brûlée, and wildflower. On the palate, it’s rich and silken, with botrytised fruit offering depth and texture, while vibrant acidity keeps everything effortlessly in tune. The finish lingers with citrus zest, spice, and a touch of salted caramel, a graceful composition of sweetness, structure, and poise.

For when: dessert feels too ordinary for the moment.
Pairs with: Roquefort, tarte tatin, or spiced apple galette.
If this wine were music, it’d be a slow jazz solo, golden, smooth, and quietly irresistible.

Château de Suduiraut, classified as a Premier Cru of Sauternes in 1855, is one of the region’s most revered estates, located adjacent to the legendary Château d’Yquem. The 91-hectare vineyard, planted primarily to Sémillon (90%) and Sauvignon Blanc (10%), lies on gravelly, sandy soils that promote both drainage and the perfect ripening conditions for Botrytis cinerea, the noble rot essential to great Sauternes.

Owned by AXA Millésimes since 1992, the estate has seen significant revitalisation under technical director Pierre Montegut, who combines traditional craftsmanship with precision viticulture. The 2013 vintage, defined by a cool start and a long botrytisation period, produced wines of remarkable aromatic intensity and freshness. Suduiraut’s hallmark style, rich yet crystalline, complex yet pure, shines brightly here, capturing Sauternes at its most elegant and expressive.