Suduiraut 2011

A Sauternes that grows on the palate with beautiful dried pineapple, honey and spice character. Full and compacted with a dense palate and a sweet palate. 150 grams of residual sugar. Long and very intense with so much going on. Lively. Subtle and changes all the time in the glass.

(93% semillion and 7% sauvignon; 3.7 pH; 6 g/l total acidity; 150 g/l residual sugar; 13.5% alcohol): Bright golden yellow. Intense, deep aromas of ripe citrus, kiwi and guava are complicated by marmaladey smoky botrytis and a touch of honeyed mango, decadent notes that are rare in 2011 Sauternes. Very rich in the mouth, displaying extremely pure tropical fruit and acacia honey flavors that are given clarity and cut by harmonious acidith. Finishes very long and pure, with uncanny freshness that keeps this opulent wine light on its feet. This is far richer than most other 2011 Sauternes yet retains the vintage's freshness and crispness. Just three tries were carried out this year and the first one was done essentially to remove dirty, unhealthy-looking grapes. This is the best young Suduiraut of the last 15 years.

The 2011 Suduiraut feels a little oaky on the nose and does not have the same bandwidth as the finest Sauternes this vintage. The palate is well balanced with a lovely viscous texture, very harmonious with pure honey and quince towards the finish. Yet I do still feel the sway of the barrel here. A fine Suduiraut, but not within the top rank. Tasted blind at the annual 10-Year-On tasting.