A fun blind-tasting night with a great group at our favorite local spot.

It’s already rare to see two dessert wines in one lineup. Not to mention having two botrytised wines on the same night. But that’s exactly what happened.

I brought Château de Suronde Quarts de Chaume Grand Cru 2004. Located in Anjon, this is the only Grand Cru appellation in the Loire Valley, and one that is exclusively dedicated to sweet wines. Made from 100% Chenin Blanc at 11% alcohol, this is a wine built on precision rather than power.
The light amber color clearly reflects its 21 years of age, yet the nose shows no fatigue at all. Aromatics are lifted and expressive, with pronounced floral and fruit notes. You can sense the botrytised sweetness immediately, alongside late-harvest ripeness (Quarts de Chaume does not require 100% botrytis). On the palate, the wine is driven by high acidity, layered with ripe opal apple, raw honey, marmalade, candied orange peel, honeysuckle, and subtle spice. The finish is long, pure, and beautifully honeyed.
Absolutely delicious and still undervalued in the U.S. market, largely due to limited awareness. A genuine steal for this level of quality and age.

Then Petri brought another surprise. The wine was initially poured into a flute, which was unfortunately disastrous for aromatics, as we could not pick up any notes! The moment it was transferred into a proper white wine glass, it completely opened up.
Château Suduiraut Sauternes 2014, Premier Cru Classé (1855). A textbook expression of botrytised Sauternes, with roughly 95% Sémillon and 5% Sauvignon Blanc, bottled at 13% alcohol—a classic marker for the appellation. Medium gold in color.
2014 is a strong year for classic, balanced Sauternes, favoring elegance over excess. The palate shows dried flowers, chamomile, candied apricot, and subtle mineral tones, with an excellent balance between richness and freshness. The acidity is vibrant, though softer and rounder than Chenin Blanc.

Both wines are drinking beautifully today and have the structure to continue developing gracefully over the next 10+ years.

Side Pro tip: They also go well with orange cake!