2005 Chateau Suduiraut
By Chateau Suduiraut
The 2005 Chateau Suduiraut from Chateau Suduiraut, Sauternes, Bordeaux
In the pantheon of Sauternes, the nectar borne of Bordeaux's noble rot, one speaks with a measure of reverence reserved for but a few elixirs. The 2005 Chateau Suduiraut from Chateau Suduiraut defines this august category—opulent, yet meticulously balanced; a beacon of that vintage's extraordinary conditions. As we peer through the glass back to 2005, the region recalls a year when climatic serendipity favoured the sublime development of botrytis cinerea.
Harvesting Time's Favour
The harvest season at Chateau Suduiraut was one cradled in patience and precision, with grapes picked at the zenith of their botrytised brilliance. This painstaking attention bestowed upon the 2005 vintage reveals a complex tapestry of flavours that ensnare both the palate and intellect of its devotees.
An Indelible Expression
Richer and more extroverted than many of its peers, the 2005 vintage is an exemplar of a particular balance where everything—sugar levels, acidity, fruit concentration—found harmony amid nature’s often unforgiving theatre. Opening with an alluring bouquet, this wine exudes aromas of candied apricot, honeyed pear, and a whisper of ginger spice; these olfactory gestures herald the intricate taste profile to follow.
On the palate, it unfolds generously, offering layers of dried pineapple and mango interlaced with toasted almond and creme brulee nuances. The finish is regal; lingering with just enough acidity to pirouette on the taste buds gracefully—a testimony to the prowess of the region’s winemaking acumen.
The investment gravitas carried by such a vintage cannot be understated—the careful cellaring potential alone assures its demand among connoisseurs looking to enrich their cache with a dependable asset. Resolute in structure yet supple in texture, this wine demonstrates why collectors cast their gaze fondly upon dedicated vintages like these when expanding their portfolios.
The 2005 Chateau Suduiraut is not merely a wine; it is a chronicle of time encapsulated within each sip. It tells of an illustrious year in Sauternes wherein favourable climatic whims lent their grace to create something truly vestal. Captivating now, it promises further revelations for those who deem to court patience beneath cork and glass.
Market price (GBP)
£430.00
12x75cl
Highest score
93
POP score
33.08
Scores and tasting notes
Tasted blind at the 10-Year On Tasting in Sauternes. The 2005 Château Suduiraut seemed a little out of sorts at first, although it comes together with honey, barley sugar, orange blossom and mineral scents that become more delineated as its aerates. The palate is very intense on the entry. There is a beautiful line of acidity that cuts through the viscous fruit, though the finish does not quite exude the precision of a top vintage, but still delivers that sense of class one expects from this address.
Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate, 28 June 2015