2011 Chateau Suduiraut Premier Cru Sauternes 375ml

Château Suduiraut, classed as a Premier Cru in 1855, is made from grapes selected from the finest terroirs of the property. This wine is handcrafted at every stage of its elaboration and reveals a remarkable complexity and a golden color reminiscent of the sun. With age, the bright gold evolves into a dark amber color. With an extensive lifespan, it powerfully and harmoniously combines fruit and floral aromas with roasted and candied notes.

The estate took the name of Suduiraut in 1580 on the marriage of Nicole d'Allard to Léonard de Suduiraut. The château was plundered and burned down during the Fronde insurrection, then rebuilt in the XVII century. It was re-named Cru du Roy in the late 18th century on being taken over by a nephew of the Suduiraut family, Jean Joseph Duroy, Baron of Noaillan. The family home then acquired a cartouche featuring the Suduiraut and Duroy coats of arms, which was to give rise to the escutcheon used by Château Suduiraut today. The property was planted with magnificent formal gardens, designed by Le Nôtre, King Louis XIV's renowned gardener. On 18 April 1855, the estate was classed as a Premier Cru during the official wine classification program in the Gironde wine-growing area. AXA Millésimes acquired Château Suduiraut in 1992 with the aim of preserving and perpetuating the estate's remarkable tradition of vineyard management and winemaking. Inspired by the great Suduiraut wines of the past, the new management has enabled this great vineyard to fulfill its full potential in recent years.

2011 was a year of contrasts. The mild, dry winter and spring led to very early growth of the vines. The summer in which cool, damp periods alternated with some very hot weeks mitigated this advance. Luckily a very fine month of September nonetheless enabled the grapes to ripen well. Botrytis was present early on and they were able to start the harvest a month earlier than usual. 

The terroir is composed of gravel, sand, limestone, and clay. The 92-hectare vineyard of Château Suduiraut is planted to 90% Semillon, 9% Sauvignon Blanc, and 1% Sauvignon gris. The vines average 30 years of age and are planted to a vine density of 7,000 vines per hectare. Cultivation yields are low at around 15 hl/ha.

Aging: 20 months in 45% in new oak barrels and 55% from single-use oak barrels.