This Sauternes estate originally took the name Suduiraut in 1580, upon the marriage of Nicole d’Allard to Leonard de Suduiraut. After being plundered and burned down during the Fronde insurrection, in the 17th century it was rebuilt and renamed Cru du Roy by a nephew of the Suduiraut family, who planted magnificent formal gardens designed by Le Notre, King Louis XIV’s renowned gardener. The estate was designated Premier Cru status in the 1855 Classification.
AXA Millesimes acquired Suduiraut in 1992 with the aim of preserving and perpetuating the estate’s remarkable tradition of vineyard management and winemaking. 92 hectares of vineyard are planted in sandy, gravelly soil superbly suited to Semillon and Sauvignon grapes. Semillon, which represents 90% of the Suduiraut vineyard’s vine population, is the preferred variety for Sauternes. Its very thin skin is particularly sensitive to the Botrytis Cinerea that gives rise to noble rot, which in turn results in a wine which is concentrated both in sweetness and aroma. The blend is then rounded off with the addition of about 10% Sauvignon Blanc.
The vines’ age (a majority of them are over 30 years old) is a guarantee of exceptional quality, giving well-nourished and more concentrated grapes.