2013 Chateau Suduiraut Sauternes (375ml)

(94 Points) Bright yellow with a golden tinge. Deep, pure and rather refined on the nose, with aromas of exotic fruits, hazelnut and honey complicated by a boatload of smoky botrytis. Opulent on the attack, then large-scaled and solidly structured in the middle palate, delivering very pure, precise flavours of caramel apple, mango, papaya, grapefruit and honey.

Big but not heavy, this finishes rich, strong and long, with notes of vanilla and sweet spices framed by laser-like acidity—a knockout Suduiraut. The estate performed three tries from late September to late October, but the wine is made up almost entirely of the second picking. This marvellously balanced wine sports roughly 145 grams per litre of residual sugar and about 5.6 grams of total acidity.

92% Sémillon and 8% Sauvignon Blanc; 50% new oak.

- Ian D'Agata