Chateau Rieussec - Sauternes 2016 (375ml)
James Suckling: 97 Points
So much botrytis on the nose with spice, dried mushrooms and nutmeg. Dried lemons and mangoes. Full-bodied and medium sweet with density and, at the same time, lightness. I like that it is full of botrytis on the palate at the beginning and then turns fruity and very pretty at the end with citrus and fruit. Balanced, creamy and rich.
Jeb Dunnuck: 97 Points
A step up over the Carmes de Rieussec, the beautiful 2016 Chateau Rieussec has remarkable purity and freshness while still packing beautiful depth of fruit. Honeyed peach, apricot, flower oil, and even a hint of wet stone all emerge from this full-bodied, thick, opulent effort. I love it. It has a rounded, sexy style ideal for drinking any time over the coming 15-20 years. The 2016 is a final blend of 83% Sémillon, 12% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Muscadelle.
Decanter: 96 Points
A great Sauternes with a wonderful brightness and freshness, this gathers speed through the palate, developing flavours of cinnamon, caramel, white pepper, clove and smoked pineapple, all wrapped in an extremely silky texture. It's still in barrel, and will be for another few months.
Wine Advocate: 96 Points
Pale lemon colored the 2016 Rieussec comes sashaying out of the glass with a beautiful floral and citrus perfume of orange blossom pink grapefruit yuzu lime leaves lemongrass and fallen leaves with hints of nutmeg and candied ginger. Having shed a lot of the puppy fat from when I last tasted this from barrel the palate reveals loads of elegant tightly wound layers and seamless freshness finishing long and fragrant.
Wine Spectator: 93 Points
Quite fresh, with acacia and honeysuckle notes out front, followed by a stream of mirabelle plum, yellow apple, pineapple and white peach flavors. Offers an unctuous feel on the finish while staying on the brighter side. Among the top efforts in the vintage.
Vinous Media: 93 Points
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.
