CHÂTEAU RIEUSSEC
2017 1er Cru Classé Sauternes
Still in barrel, the 2017 Rieussec is just as impressive as it was en primeur. Rich, ample and voluptuous, the 2017 has all the intensity that is so typical of Rieussec, but with the extra kick of freshness that is now such an emphasis here. Candied orange peel, crême brulée, vanillin, passion fruit and pineapple emerge from the glass. I can't wait to taste this from bottle. Drinking range: 2022 - 2042 Rating: 94-97 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Mar 2020)
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The 2017 Rieussec was affected by the frost, losing around 15% of the production although, it was more located in parcels that are designated for the dry white R de Rieussec. Eric Kohler told me that it was a relatively rapid picking. It has around 125gm/L residual sugar. It has a clean but slightly distant bouquet, does not really exude the richness that you expect from Sauternes. The palate is medium-bodied and more promising than the nose: a viscous opening, quite spicy and slightly Auslese in style. The acidity is well balanced and it becomes increasingly lively towards the lychee and fennel-tinged finish, as if compensating for the nose. Drinking range: 2022 - 2048 Rating: 92-94 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (May 2018)
Blended of 83% Sémillon and 17% Sauvignon Blanc, the 2017 Rieussec gives up beautiful notes of orange marmalade, beeswax, acacia honey and yuzu with touches of lemon tart, grapefruit pastilles and musk perfume. The palate is full, rich and unctuous with incredible layers of citrus and honeyed fruits, finishing very long and perfumed. Rating: 96-98 Lisa Perrotti-Brown, RobertParker.com (Apr 2018)
The 2017 Rieussec is a killer Sauternes that shows the fresh, chiseled style of the vintage while still packing awesome fruit. Huge notes of orange blossom, honeyed citrus, mints and exotic flowers flow to a full-bodied, viscous 2017 that has beautiful purity, a clean, perfectly balanced texture, integrated acidity and a great finish. It’s a rockstar effort. Rating: 95-97 Jeb Dunnuck, www.jebdunnuck.com (Apr 2018)
This is very focused and an intense with so much spice and dried lemon character with cloves and dry mushroom too. Full body and very sweet yet finishes dry and spice. Harmonious and great. Rating: 97-98 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Apr 2018)
The fruit was picked between September 26th and October 12th, the final blend 83% Semillon and 17% Sauvignon Blanc. The aromatics display a beautiful purity, with rich mango, peach and apricot fruit, showing a delicate, lychee and white-pebble freshness. The palate possesses an enticing viscous substance and depth, and an enticing breadth of peach, apricot and citrus fruits, with evident sweetness, good pithy-phenolic depth and fresh acidity too. A wine that is bright, charming, correct and polished. This is very good indeed. Rating: 94-96 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com (Apr 2018)
Château Rieussec
Sauternes Premier Cru 1855 For several generations, Château Rieussec has been a leading name in Sauternes wines. As early as 1868, Charles Cocks remarked that “Beyond any of the others, Rieussec produces wines that are very similar to Yquem wines”. The modern history of Rieussec, and the beginning of a remarkable rennaissance, starts with the purchase of the estate by Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) in 1984. A new winery was completed in 1989 and yields restricted to maximise quality. There are 92ha of vineyard, planted with 90% Semillon, 7% Sauvignon Blanc and 3% Muscadelle. Fermentation takes place in barrels from DBR's own cooperage. Aging is 18 to 26 months depending on the year, including 55% in new barrels.