Chateau de Suduiraut 1er Cru Classe Sauternes 2013

The estate comprises 91 hectares of vines planted in gravelly, sandy-clay soil. The gravel captures the sun's heat, helping the grapes mature more rapidly and contributing to the wine's opulence. The thin soil retains very little water, resulting in low yields, which concentrates the sugars and flavours in the grapes and forces the vine to draw its nourishment from deep into the soil. The vines are planted at a high vine density of 7,000 per hectare and have an average age of 35. The vines are grown according to environmentally responsible practices, and the estate is certified as having high environmental value (HEV); cultivation practices include short pruning and tilling of the soil. 90% of the Suduiraut vineyard is planted with Semillon vines and 10% with Sauvignon Blanc. Semillon is an aromatic grape, and when it is infected with botrytis or noble rot, it has an ample structure on the palate, giving the wine great mellowness and unctuosity. When vinified as a dessert wine, the Sauvignon Blanc adds acidity, bringing freshness and aromatic complexity to the blend. The best-botrytised bunches are meticulously hand-selected, naturally high in concentrated sugar, and suitable for dessert wine.