1982 Suduiraut Creme de Tete
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Tasting notes
The 1982 Suduiraut Crème de Tête was the first of only two occasions when the estate opted to release what might be termed a "super-cuvée", though it is de facto a parcel selection like Coutet's Cuvée Madame. Unlike Cuvée Madame that is still produced, the only other Crème de Tête from Suduiraut was in 1989. It has an attractive bouquet of dried honey and barley sugar, although I am not bowled over by the aromatics. The palate has a satisfying viscosity but it feels rather doughty with a Tokaji-inspired finish. Readers should note that this cuvée is prone to TCA issues and frankly, I prefer the regular bottling. 128gm/L residual sugar, 14.3% alcohol.
Critic scores
Neal Martin
About the producer
Among the very best Sauternes estates, Ch. Suduiraut is owned by AXA Millésimes, which also manages Pichon Baron. The team works meticulously to select the finest fruit from its 91 hectares of vines, bordering Yquem. The resulting wines are intensely concentrated, balanced, complex and age-worthy.