2013 Chateau Suduiraut Sauternes Premier Grand Cru Classe (375 mL) Half-Bottle

Château Suduiraut is one of the best deals in the world of collectible wine.

Yes, that’s a bold statement, but follow us here. Premier Cru Supérieur Château d’Yquem sits alone atop the Sauternes ladder, and it costs about $225 for a half bottle. The 2013 Suduiraut—grown just a stone’s throw away—earned 97 points. 

Compare that to Yquem’s 98. Then compare their prices. 

Golden and luminous in the glass, wafting up notes of honey, citrus preserves, poached pear, balsam, and baking spice, this lives up to the promise of its First Growth pedigree with every ounce. It shows the rich concentration of the vintage, as well as the linearity, length, and light minerality that define the Suduiraut style. We’ve long loved their wines for the mix of sweetness and acid so bright, it almost gives the impression of dryness. 

With a history dating back to the 1600s, Suduiraut has mastered the art of cultivating the “noble rot” brought on by Botrytis cinerea. A beneficent fungus, Botrytis increases glycerol and concentrates sugars and acids by the dehydration and shriveling of grapes. Nothing is more important to the development of noble rot than the warm, moist conditions at the sites known for producing top-flight Sauternes.

Situated in the village of Preignac, the Suduiraut estate actually borders the Yquem vineyards, and possesses the same incredible diversity of soils and parcels, ranging from sandy-gravel to clay. In 2013’s growing season, three passes were made through the vineyard from October 3rd to October 30th to ensure each parcel was harvested at the peak of perfection. Vinification of these 93% Sémillon, 7% Sauvignon Blanc grapes is classic, in barrels with careful temperature control.