Château Suduiraut – Sémillon 2003 (Sauternes)
Graves, Bordeaux – France 🇫🇷
Overview
Crafted primarily from Sémillon, Château Suduiraut is one of Sauternes’ premier estates, producing wines shaped by noble rot (Botrytis cinerea). The warm 2003 vintage gave concentration and richness, while time in bottle has deepened its complexity. (Educational note: Sémillon’s thick skins make it particularly susceptible to botrytis, producing the honeyed intensity Sauternes is famous for.)
Aromas & Flavors
Opulent notes of dried apricot, candied orange peel, and golden raisin layered with honey, saffron, and caramelized pineapple. Secondary tones of almond, vanilla, and beeswax show the maturity of two decades.
Mouthfeel
Lusciously full-bodied, with velvety sweetness cut by balanced acidity. The palate is rich and textured, gliding into a lingering finish of dried fruit, spice, and honeyed depth.
Food Pairings
A classic match with foie gras or blue cheese. Also pairs beautifully with fruit tarts, crème brûlée, or even spicy Asian dishes for contrast.
Verdict
A magnificent aged Sauternes — decadent yet balanced, carrying the warmth of 2003 with elegance. Honeyed, textural, and endlessly layered, this is a benchmark for botrytised sweet wines. 🍯🍷cheers!
Did You Know?
Sémillon makes up the majority of Sauternes blends, often complemented by Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle. Its thick skin and natural waxiness make it ideal for noble rot, creating the world’s most legendary dessert wines.
Collector’s Rarity 📌
Château Suduiraut, a Premier Cru Classé estate from the 1855 classification, produces limited amounts of Sauternes each year — with older vintages like 2003 increasingly rare treasures in the market. — 10 days ago
Definitely delicious — 12 days ago
Concrete fermentation 6 months + 1 month stainless. Bright, white flowers, peach, honey, nectar. — 3 months ago
Joe really liked this one. — 4 months ago
It’s hard to find fully shed classic Viura (white Rioja) anymore but old-school Lopez de Heredia clings to tradition. This wine, nearly 10 years old on release, is fascinating - aged to the point of considerable oxidation yet it retains its fruit ands acidity. Bruised apple, ripe pear, golden raisin, orange peel, flint, wet stones, and hay happily coexist with hazelnut, dried orange peel, coconut, baking spices ands more. The medium acidity is a firm foundation to a richly textured wine, Long finish too! — 12 days ago
North-South plantings with less pruning against late-day sun (thinned on the South side). 30% whole cluster grapes. Spice, mushroom, pepper - added structure, tannin and savoriness compared to the Estate Pinot Noir. — 3 months ago
Juicy, light, mineral/graphite, raspberry. Carbonic maceration. Fleurie-ish — 3 months ago
Medium lemon color, aromas of stone and citrus fruits with floral, honey and flinty mineral notes, aged 9 months in Stockinger Pincheons, then 6 months in stainless. On the palate flavors of apple and pear with citrus and floral wrapped in a nutty vanilla spice. Long finish, lively acidity, ending with fruit, toasty oak, spice and savory citrus character. — 4 months ago
Ken Venezio
A bit dusty in the nose but it opens with cherries, blackberries and a touch of dark cocoa. Nice balance between florals and spice. Tannins are silky and it has a full finish. I'd say medium body but very good value. — 16 days ago