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Rieussec 2016

Sauternes/Barsac, First Growth Sauternes

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Tasting Notes

The 2018 Rieussec has plenty of botrytis on the nose, along with scents of honey, white peach, saffron, lanolin and walnut that gain intensity with aeration. The very well balanced palate presents a viscous opening and a fine bead of acidity. Generous and poised, with hints of marzipan and Turkish Delight decorating the finish. Excellent. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

Score: 94

Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2023-2045 01 August 2020

The 2016 Rieussec has an elegant bouquet of pure honeysuckle, orange pith, peach and light minerally aromas. The palate is well balanced with fine precision and pleasant fatness, featuring white peach and almond-infused, honeyed fruit. A touch of vanilla emerges toward the finish. This was a barrel sample due to be bottled in January 2019, though it was virtually the finished wine.

Score: 93

Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2022-2050 01 January 2019

The 2016 Rieussec is a blend of 83% Sémillon, 12% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Muscadelle picked form 26 September until 4 November. It has a much more straightforward bouquet compared to the 2015 with light honeysuckle and white flower aromas. There is good acidity in the mouth thanks the passerillé berries, nicely balanced with a touch of orange zest towards the linear finish that will hopefully gain more weight during its élevage. It is likely to be an earlier-drinking Rieussec than the 2015.

Score: 92 - 94

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 28 April 2017

Still in barrel, the 2016 Rieussec is shaping up to be glorious. Ample, rich and super-expressive, the 2016 is a wine of real pedigree and distinction. Pineapple, orange marmalade, spice, apricot and lightly honeyed notes all flesh out. Even with all of its obvious depth and resonance , the 2016 remains gracious, not to mention incredibly delicious. The 140 grams of residual sugar are not especially notable, and so the 2016 is rich but not at all heavy.

Score: 94 - 97

Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2021-2056 01 January 2019

The 2016 Rieussec is gorgeous. Despite the relatively low acidity of the vintage, it preserves a good deal of aromatic freshness, with plenty of lemon confit, passion fruit and coconut overtones. The decision to lower the Sémillon a touch and increase the Sauvignon Blanc has paid handsome rewards. The 2016 is not a truly profound Sauternes - that would have been nearly impossible this vintage - but it comes close. Quite frankly, it is nearly impossible to spit.

Score: 93 - 96

Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com 25 April 2017

The 2016 Rieussec is gorgeous. Despite the relatively low acidity of the vintage, it preserves a good deal of aromatic freshness, with plenty of lemon confit, passion fruit and coconut overtones. The decision to lower the Sémillon a touch and increase the Sauvignon Blanc has paid handsome rewards. The 2016 is not a truly profound Sauternes - that would have been nearly impossible this vintage - but it comes close. Quite frankly, it is nearly impossible to spit.

Score: 93 - 96

Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com 01 April 2017

RS 148 g/l. Ginger nose. Solid, a little yeoman-like. Almost as though they have given up trying for sophistication with this wine. Very sweet with the acidity slightly uncomfortably low. 13.9%. 16.5+

Score: 16 - 17

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2024-2040 25 April 2017

Lots of botrytis here in addition to dried mushrooms and dried fruit such as pineapple and peaches. Medium to full body. Medium sweet. Very long and intense. A triumph.

Score: 98 - 99

James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com 24 March 2017