Chateau Suduiraut   Chateau Suduiraut

2003 Chateau Suduiraut

By Chateau Suduiraut

2003 Chateau Suduiraut, Sauternes, Bordeaux, France

The exalted 2003 Chateau Suduiraut from Chateau Suduiraut manifests the unique climactic conditions of Sauternes in an unpredictable vintage year for Bordeaux. Its distinction graces the palate with a luscious complexity fostered by a season that wine aficionados speak of with reverence and fascination.

 

A Remarkable Harvest: The 2003 Enigma

In the annals of Bordeaux wine history, 2003 stands as an enigmatic chapter. The region’s vineyards were scorched by unrelenting summer heat. Yet, the noble rot that characterises the finest Sauternes thrived amidst these challenging conditions, enabling the creation of a wine that is an exemplar of opulence.

On evaluation, the 2003 Chateau Suduiraut offers an impressive golden hue — a prelude to the sensory delights that lie within. The nose is enveloped in a heady mix of apricot preserve, candied orange peel, and intoxicating honeyed aromas that beckon the taster into its complex and sumptuous world.

 

A Tapestry of Flavours: The Palate's Pleasure

Upon tasting, the wine pirouettes across the tongue with an alluring balance between fulsome sweetness and a revitalising acidity. It unfurls its tapestry of cooked peaches, tropical fruits such as mango, interwoven with butterscotch and a whiff of almond – all nuanced by a refined oak influence borne out of judicious maturation.

Firmly structured yet unctuously smooth, this particular vintage from Chateau Suduiraut boasts an expansive mouthfeel paired with an elegant, lingering finish — characteristics that contribute to its admirable longevity and sought-after profile among investors and connoisseurs alike.

 

An Investment Worthy Vintage

For collectors looking to embellish their portfolio, or investors pioneering into the realm of fine wines, 2003 Chateau Suduiraut represents not just an exquisite tasting opportunity but also a noteworthy investment proposition. With its distinct provenance and remarkable vintage attributes, this exemplary Sauternes remains a radiant jewel in the diadem of Bordeaux sweet wines.

Current market price

$680.00

12x75cl

Highest score

90

POP score

41

Scores and tasting notes

90

Ex-chateau bottle tasted blind in Sauternes. To be honest, this vintage of Suduiraut has never been thrilling and is certainly not in the same class as the 2001 or 2009, to give two examples. The nose is powerful and rich with scents of Clementine, beeswax and quince that certainly pack a punch. The palate is spicy on the viscous entry with bitter orange, marmalade and stem ginger, although the glycerine-rich finish is missing some freshness and tension. This remains an unashamedly hedonistic Suduiraut. Tasted April 2013.

Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate, 27 June 2013

Vintage performance