2019 Rieussec
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Tasting notes
Critic scores
Average Score
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate
Georgie Hindle, Decanter
More reviews and scores
My first taste of Rieussec in the new, controversial bottle. I liked the wine more than the bottle. The nose explodes with honeysuckle, spice, honeyed tropical fruits, white peaches, candied tangerines, and pineapples. Stylistically, the wine is perched in the middle of opulent, sweet, and fresh, with a long, layered, luscious, sweet, fruit, spice, and honeyed finish.
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The 2019 Rieussec, which I did not taste either from barrel or after bottling, has quite a powerful bouquet with good levels of botrytis, though not necessarily complex or nuanced. Touches of orange blossom and quince. The palate is well-balanced with fine depth on the entry, quite pure and judiciously spiced, hints of stem ginger and lemongrass furnishing the finish that is very satisfying. If the nose can gain more personality then this could turn into a very fine Sauternes. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting.
About the producer
Ch. Rieussec is a top, Premier Cru Classé Sauternes estate that is part of the Domaines Barons de Rothschild stable, along with First Growth Ch. Lafite Rothschild.