As one of Sauternes’ greatest and most historic producers, Ch. Suduiraut could have easily kept things the way they were. That is, they could keep focusing on making their trademark sweet wines, just as they had for more than 400 years.

But starting in 2004, Suduiraut made a quiet addition to its lineup, producing for the first time a dry white wine. Its Managing Director, Christian Seely, said it was to “prove to the world that it was possible to make a great dry white wine from Sauternes.”

Of course, dry white wine in Sauternes is nothing new, with Yquem’s “Ygrec” making small amounts for over 60 years. But few, if any, have taken such a strong position as Ch. Suduiraut.

The estate now has four dry white cuvées to show for it, and of those, the most profound bottling is its old-vine Grand Vin Blanc Sec, made just four times so far.

And Suduiraut absolutely nailed it in 2023. Antonio Galloni called it a “super-expressive … rich, deep white for the dinner table.” In fact, according to his 94-96 rating, it’s already at the level of Ch. Haut Brion’s mythic $750 blanc, which he rated 93-96 in the same vintage.

For this special wine, Suduiraut chose its best-performing Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc vines, between 40 and 60 years of age, and matured the wine in mostly once-used French oak barrels.

Even as it continues to age in barrel, it’s already a remarkable and deeply textured dry white wine but, as Neil Martin notes, “it will be fascinating to watch age in bottle.” 

This is the future of Sauternes packaged in a single, beautiful dry wine. Don’t miss it. 

Available for delivery at the end of this year or early in 2025.