(2022) The dry white wine of the famous Sauternes estate of Suduiraut is composed of 52% Semillon and 48% Sauvignon Blanc from 20-year-old vines, the wine matured in barrels, 25% of which were new. There's a nutty layer of smoothing, barrel-derived aroma over lemony and punchy citrus fruit. In the mouth this has a tempered, rather imperious character, the cool fruit taut and concentrated, its time in barrel just easing the edges, and a core of lean lemony acidity just allowing glimpses - only glimpses - of something more exotic, like guava and lychee, just waiting in the wings. An interesting and layered wine this, that might well blossom more fully with a year or two in bottle.
(2021) Like the other wines of Suduiraut, the Blanc Sec comes from all estate fruit, predominently Semillon at 52%, with 48% Sauvignon Blanc, like the 2020, 25% was aged in barrels, 23% new. Very pale green/straw in colour, it's an elegant and composed wine, taut with lemon and minerals to the fore, a little leafiness and almost Chablis-like river stones. In the mouth a little more of the Sauvignon vivaciousness comes through, a burst of more nectarine like fruit, but always restrained by classic acidity, the finish long and bone-dry. Perhaps slightly less vivacious than the 2020, but makes up for that in sheerness and intensity. Around £17.50 by the case.