Chateau Rieussec Reviews
Learn More About Chateau Rieussec Through its Reviews.
2019 Chateau Rieussec Reviews
96 Pointz Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“Pale lemon-gold in color, the 2019 Chateau Rieussec flaunts a delicately scented nose of fresh grapefruit, lemon curd, lime leaves, and clover honey with wafts of jasmine, white truffles, and nutmeg. The palate slowly builds, revealing layers of apple and citrus fruits with loads of savory accents, framed by refreshing acidity and a seductively oily texture, finishing on a lingering honey-nut note.”
94 Pointz Vinous
The 2019 Chateau 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.
93 Pointz James Suckling
“This is so delicious, with a medium body with medium sweetness. Dried mango and pineapple, as well as some vanilla. Bright and fresh. Lighter than some years. Yummy. Tarte-tartin. Love the new bottle. Drink and enjoy.”
Bonus Reviews
United Kingdom
96 Pointz Decanter
“Lovely noble rot aromas but quite modern in profile with freshness and energy. On the palate there is expressive and open flavours of honeyed lemon, orange rind, and pineapple well wrapped in a viscous, rich, sumptuous, and seductive layer of sweetness. Great acidity backbone, not mouthwatering as such but just enough that it lifts the overall feeling so much then the structure comes in supporting the frame making you think this is a serious and super charming wine. Great texture also the flavours glide across the palate. Excellent intensity but also freshness. A great aperitif style to enjoy before a meal - serve cold and let the wine reveal more complexity and nuance as it warms and opens. A new, fun bottle was introduced for this vintage. Dark glass was used 'obliging you to pour it as you can't see the colour' says Saskia de Rothschild with a reusable cork stopper so it can be kept in the fridge and consumed in several sittings. Drinking Window 2027 - 2045.”
2018 Chateau Rieussec Reviews
This wine is a blend of 75% Sémillon and 25% Sauvignon Blanc.
17hl/ha
96 Pointz Wine Enthusiast
“Plenty of ripe botrytis with a dry core is surrounded by flavors of sweet honey, ripe apricot, and a touch of orange marmalade. The acidity keeps it fresh and vibrant.”
94 Pointz James Suckling
“Very clean and fresh with banana, pineapple, and papaya character and hints of honey. Medium-to full-bodied, sweet and crisp. Lively finish. Jasmine and acacia with hints of spice. Slightly crisper style. More sauvignon than normal.”
93 Pointz Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
Composed of 75% Sémillon and 25% Sauvignon Blanc, the pale lemon-gold colored 2018 Chateau Rieussec slowly unfurls to offer fragrant orange blossoms, honeycomb, and candied ginger scents with a core of lemon marmalade, baked pears and spice cake, plus a hint of preserved citrus peel. The palate is light on its feet with zippy freshness lifting the well-knit sweetness, finishing long with a skip in its step. If not a truly profound vintage for this label, it is a beautifully elegant and bright expression.”
93 Pointz Vinous
“The 2018 Chateau Rieussec does come across a little oaky on the nose, although that is always the case here. Underneath lies plenty of honeyed fruit and touches of lemon curd, almond, and apricot. The palate is well balanced, offering very pure honeyed fruit laced with vanilla, almond, and hints of nougat, and more apricot and peach toward the finish. This will be a very seductive Rieussec, but afford it 4–5 years to fully assimilate the oak.”
91 Pointz Wine Spectator
“Rich and forward, but has cut and definition, with a range of white peach, quince, toasted almond, and honeysuckle notes working together, followed by a broad, marzipan-coated finish. Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc. Drink now through 2030.”
Bonus Reviews
United Kingdom
94 Pointz Decanter
This takes a minute to lift out of the glass, with a focus on texture more than aromatics, but it’s highly attractive with a luscious, gorgeous texture and flavours that are concentrated but elegant and fine, showing touches of mandarin, saffron, and spice alongside a creamy citrus mid-palate. The harvest took place between 10 and 31 October, later than last year - the day they finished in 2017 was the day they started in 2018. A yield of 17hl/ha. Drinking Window 2022 - 2042.”
2017 Chateau Rieussec Reviews
This wine is a blend of 83% Semillon and 17% Sauvignon Blanc.
98 Pointz James Suckling
“Inspirational depth with botrytis spice, toffee, dried-apricot, and sponge-cake character. Full-bodied, very sweet, and lively with a long, endless finish. Lively acidity balances the wine. Tight and linear. Compact column of fruit and botrytis. Give it age.”
97 Pointz Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
A blend of 83% Semillon and 17% Sauvignon Blanc, the 2017 Rieussec is pale to medium lemon-gold colored. To begin, the nose blows you away with intense lemon tart, lime cordial, mango, and quince notes followed by a second wave of floral, orange blossoms, and honeysuckle scents, and then notes of crushed rocks, crème caramel, and marzipan join the party. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is still very tightly wound with concentrated sweetness and a racy backbone to match, delivering layer upon layer of citrus and savory flavors, finishing on a persistent mineral note.”
97 Pointz Wine Enthusiast
“Hugely rich, this wine has great intensity. Ripe mango and peach flavors boast a strong botrytis flavor, giving it full-bodied concentration. With its larger-than-life richness, it needs many years to calm down. Drink from 2025.”
97 Pointz Vinous
Still in barrel, the 2017 Chateau 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.”
93 Pointz Wine Spectator
“Delivers some rare floral lift for the vintage, with a honeysuckle edge out front, pulling creamed mango and papaya notes along. Flashes of green tea, hazelnut, and piecrust emerge on the finish. Showy, but with nice detail buried within. Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc.”
Bonus Reviews
United Kingdom
97 Pointz Decanter
“An exceptional wine, this is just stuffed full of exotic fruits, layers of apricot, saffron, truffle, and citrus, all powering through the palate with a mouthwatering finish. An early harvest - they finished picking in 2017 the same day that they started in 2018, and the crop showed unusually pure botrytis, needing less sorting than usual. Absolutely one to look out for. Drinking Window 2023 - 2045.”
2016 Chateau Rieussec Reviews
This wine is a blend of 83% Sémillon, 12% Sauvignon Blanc, and 5% Muscadelle.
97 Pointz Jeb Dunnuck
“A step up over the Carmes de Rieussec, the beautiful 2016 Château 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.”
97 Pointz James Suckling
“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. Try after 2024, but already gorgeous.”
97 Pointz Wine Enthusiast
“Made by the Lafite-Rothschild team, this is a powerfully dense wine. It has intense botrytis and fine acidity, as well as sumptuous ripe marmalade and apricot flavors. This is certainly for long-term aging.”
96 Pointz Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“A barrel sample blended of 83% Sémillon, 12% Sauvignon Blanc, and 5% Muscadelle, the 2016 Chateau Rieussec is pale to medium lemon colored with a touch of gold. The nose features intense honeycomb, mandarin peel, candied ginger, and lemongrass scents with wafts of allspice and musk perfume. The palate is very rich, full, and opulent with tons of spicy layers and a lively line to lift the densely packed fruit to a long finish.”
94 Pointz Vinous
“Still in barrel, the 2016 Chateau 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.”
93 Pointz Wine Spectator
“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.”
Bonus Reviews
United Kingdom
96 Pointz Decanter
“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. Around 50% new oak. Drinking Window 2022-2040.”
2015 Chateau Rieussec Reviews
This wine is a blend of 86% Sémillon and 14% Sauvignon Blanc.
98 Pointz James Suckling
“The is a phenomenal wine with dried pineapple and pear aromas and flavors. Full, very sweet. Incredible depth and power. Super complex.”
97 Pointz Vinous
“The 2015 Chateau Rieussec is gorgeous. Scents of apricot jam, honey, mint, and wild flowers lift from the glass. Delicate and gracious, with terrific freshness, the wine is all polish. Reflecting both the style of the year and the desire to make a slightly lighter Sauternes, the 2015 is rendered in a style the emphasizes finesse over power. The blend is 86% Sémillon and 14% Sauvignon Blanc.
96 Pointz Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“A blend of 86% Sémillon and 14% Sauvignon Blanc, the 2015 Chateau Rieussec reveals a bright, pale straw-gold color and is a little closed at this youthful stage, yet it offers wonderful purity and depth, featuring notes of lemon marmalade, orange blossoms, beeswax and acacia honey with hints of preserved kumquats and peach compote. Very elegant and fine in the medium to full-bodied mouth, it features a racy backbone cutting through the earthy and citrus layers, finishing long and spicy.”
94 Pointz Wine Enthusiast
“Layered botrytis that gives the wine both its richness and dense texture. It is sweet but with a dry core and crisp acidity, it will age well. It is going to be a beautiful wine, with tropical fruits, apricots, and wonderful final acidity. Drink from 2025.”
94 Pointz Wine Spectator
“Intense, with warm peach cobbler, toasted coconut, orange curd, and apricot aromas and flavors. Honeyed feel through the finish, but with a racy streak of bitter almond too. Drink now through 2040.”
Bonus Reviews
United Kingdom
97 Pointz Decanter
“Taking things to another dimension, this has power, spice, and a saffron-edged sexiness. Quince, roasted white peaches, and bitter oranges are coupled with a biting seam of white pepper. There's such density here, and a soft, silky texture with a kick.”
18/20 Pointz Jancis Robinson,
Master of Wine
“Not that dark in colour - yet. Very sweet nose with great creamy texture. Big and brawny but it knows what it's doing. Pretty high alcohol. Some savoury notes. Very confident.'
2014 Chateau Rieussec Reviews
This wine is a blend of 93% Semillon, 5% Sauvignon Blanc, and 2% Muscadelle. 13hl/ha
97 Pointz Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“The Château Rieussec 2014 is a blend of 93% Semillon, 5% Sauvignon Blanc, and 2% Muscadelle, picked from 15 to 29 October through seven tries, the yield half the normal crop at 13 hectoliters per hectare. Charles Chevalier, how lest we forget started here and not chez Lafite, told me that the beginning of September had overripe grapes with passerillage – the second part had very good levels of botrytis. The blend is from these two parts. The bouquet is very well defined with crystal clear honeysuckle and white peach scents. The palate is beautifully balanced with nigh on perfect acidity that makes this seem just so…effortless. I would like to see a little more persistence on the finish, but otherwise this is classic Rieussec that might...and I stress might...just give that Sauternes beginning with the 25th letter of the alphabet, a run for its money.”
95 Pointz James Suckling
“The aromas of botrytis are all there. Very spicy mushroom powder and flower character. Dried-lemon undertones. Full-bodied, medium sweet, dense, and flavorful with so much fruit intensity and bright acidity. Vibrant.”
95 Pointz Wine Spectator
“A powerful, juicy, and engaging style, with lots of ginger, orange peel, mango, and peach flavors that are unctuous and forward in feel. Vibrant twinges of green fig and bitter almond extend the finish.”
94 Pointz Vinous
“The 2014 Chateau Rieussec is rich, creamy, and ample. Orange peel, mint, apricot jam,, and tropical fruits grace the palate in a sensual, rich Sauternes that exudes class. Already showing slightly forward notes in its bouquet, the 2014 will enter its prime drinking window sooner than other recent vintages (the 2013 comes to mind). This is a very pretty and complete Sauternes with all of its elements in the right place.”
94 Pointz Wine Enthusiast
“Layered botrytis that gives the wine both its richness and dense texture. It is sweet but with a dry core and crisp acidity, it will age well. It is going to be a beautiful wine, with tropical fruits, apricots, and wonderful final acidity.”
Bonus Reviews
United Kingdom
95 Pointz Decanter
Refined nose of nectarine, peach, crystallized ginger, and sweet spices. Layered, intense, and suave, with long-lasting flavours of ginger, sweet spices, and tropical fruits. Very harmonious: a standout Rieussec. Drinking Window 2018 - 2045.
2013 Chateau Rieussec Reviews
This wine is a blend of 95.5% Semillon and 4.5% Sauvignon Blanc.
98 Pointz James Suckling
“This has masses of botrytis-spice character. It’s full but balanced and intense, with loads of dried-fruit character and a spicy, intense finish. Superb. I like the sweet-savory character.”
96 Pointz Wine Enthusiast
“Here is a powerful, full-bodied wine that brings out the rich botrytis flavors of the year while also presenting bright, crisp acidity. The wine is concentrated, tight, and fresh at the end.”
95 Pointz Wine Spectator
“Still youthfully rambunctious, balanced by a terrific core of peach, apricot, mango, and toasted almond flavors, with crystalized ginger, tangerine, and quince notes. The long finish delivers serious power and freshness. Tasted non-blind.”
94 Pointz Stephen Tanzer’s
International Wine Cellar
Full medium yellow. Pineapple and mango along with lemony botrytis and sexy vanillin oak notes on the enticing nose. Big, rich, dense, and powerful, with an impressively rich Semillon texture; pineapple and ripe, smoky yellow peach flavors are given a penetrating quality by strong, harmonious acidity. This firmly built, long Sauternes ought to age very well.”
94 Pointz Vinous
Full medium yellow. Pineapple and mango along with lemony botrytis and sexy vanillin oak notes on the enticing nose. Big, rich, dense, and powerful, with an impressively rich semillon texture; pineapple and ripe, smoky yellow peach flavors are given a penetrating quality by strong, harmonious acidity. This firmly built, long Sauternes ought to age very well.
94 Pointz Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“The grand vin from Chateau Rieussec is a blend of 95.5% Semillon and 4.5% Sauvignon Blanc picked between September 26 and October 31 over four tries through the vineyard (although some blocks took more than that). The nose is a little closed at the moment, with light honey and a touch of marmalade. The palate is very well-balanced, very tense, and focused with superb mineralite toward the lightly viscous finish. This is a classy number, a pretty Rieussec in the making.”
Bonus Reviews
United Kingdom
93 Pointz Decanter
“Harmonious, well-integrated sweetness and lovely floral and dried mango notes. Linear profile and purity without any heaviness.”
2012 Chateau Rieussec Reviews
No Wine was made this year
2011 Chateau Rieussec Reviews
97 Pointz James Suckling
“This shows incredible freshness and power, with dried pineapples, mangoes, and papayas. Full body, medium-sweet with electrifying acidity. Vibrates your palate.”
96 Pointz Wine Spectator
“Intense, with ginger, yellow apple chutney, dried pineapple, and papaya flavors coursing through a finish that brims with singed almond and lemon chiffon flavors. This retains a touch of youthful rawness, featuring a bitter orange note that's yet to be absorbed. No need to rush or worry here. Best from 2018 through 2040.”
95 Pointz Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“Tasted blind at the Sauternes 2011 horizontal tasting. The Château Rieussec 2011 transcends its somewhat “middling” performance from barrel and delivers a knockout wine in bottle. For sure, it demonstrates a lot of vanilla from the new oak on the nose, complemented by almond, French patisserie, and touches of white peach. The élevage is more expressive than the terroir at the moment, although there is clearly a lot of fruit underneath. The palate is very well balanced, with thickly textured honeyed fruits that lacquer the inside of the mouth and stay there. This is extremely well-balanced but very young and primal, yet the crescendo of flavors is very impressive. Tasted blind, I hazarded a guess that this might be Yquem ’11. Enough said.”
95 Pointz Stephen Tanzer’s
International Wine Cellar
“Brilliant golden yellow. Knockout nose combines peach, citrus fruits, white flowers, saffron, honey, and stone complicated by very pure lemony botrytis. Extremely deep and concentrated but youthfully closed, showing a powerful floral character to the peach, passion fruit, and marzipan flavors. Finishes very long and perfumed; a laser beam of acidity gives this Sauternes exceptional clarity and cut.”
95 Pointz Wine Enthusiast
Cellar Selection
“Layers of complex botrytis give this wine an immensely aromatic character. It is sumptuous and generous, ripe and full-bodied. The essential acidity comes through the dry structure of botrytis and sweet honey. The fruit is only just beginning to show and the wine is obviously very young. Drink from 2022.”
2010 Chateau Rieussec Reviews
This wine is a blend of 92% Semillon, 5% Sauvignon Blanc and 3% Muscadelle. There are 160 grams per liter of residual sugar.
96 Pointz James Suckling
“I love the botrytis spice character to this wine with dried apricots and tropical fruits. It's full bodied, medium sweet with a long intense finish. It's very layered. Sweet wine of the vintage.”
96 Pointz Vinous
“The 2010 Chateau Rieussec is slightly more backwards on the nose. It is very focused with almond, saffron, orange pith, and dried honey aromas that gain intensity with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with a harmonious entry. Impressive depth with lovely vanillary new oak, it is long and pure towards the finish. A Sauternes with pedigree. Superb. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners 10-Year On Bordeaux horizontal.”
96 Pointz Wine Enthusiast
“Structured firm, very spicy, while also showing fresh pineapple acidity. Concentrated and packed with botrytis.”
94 Pointz Stephen Tanzer’s
International Wine Cellar
“Bright straw-gold. Spectacular, intense, exotic botrytized nose is redolent of honeyed yellow peach, apricot, and saffron. Then very sweet in the mouth, with concentrated flavors of dried peach, ginger, and honey lifted by bright acidity. The finish is long and polished, featuring persistent peach, honey, and white pepper nuances.”
94 Pointz Wine Spectator
“A muscular version, with dacquoise and marzipan notes leading the way for creamed orange, white peach, ginger, mirabelle compote, and tangerine accents that pump through the piecrust-filled finish. Has the vintage's raw oomph, as well as range and cut for balance.”
90 Pointz Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“The 2010 Rieussec is a blend of 92% Semillon, 5% Sauvignon Blanc and 3% Muscadelle picked between 15 September and 4 November over four pickings. There are 160 grams per liter of residual sugar. It has a fragrant bouquet of light honeyed fruit, peony, and brioche that does not quite have the daring-do of the 2011. The palate is well balanced with a viscous opening, harmonious with blood orange and quince notes forming toward the composed and elegant finish.”