Château Rieussec Sauternes 2017 - 1er Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About the domain :

Rieussec, one of the jewels in the crown of the Rothschild estates, sometimes suffers unfairly from the commercial policy of its distribution, which overshadows the nobility of its terroir adjacent to Yquem and the perfectionism of its production. The wine impresses with its power and richness without lacking in freshness, thanks to exemplary technical mastery of bottling. The remarkable ageing of the 1988, 1989 and 1990 should silence any criticism. The second Carmes wine is no demagoguery, displaying all the richness expected from this type of soil, with more rapid development in bottle.

Decanter

About the wine:

An exceptional wine bursting with exotic fruit, layers of apricot, saffron, truffle and citrus, all building to a mouth-watering finish. An early harvest - the 2017 vintage ended on the same day as the 2018 vintage, and showed exceptionally pure botrytis, requiring less sorting than usual. This is a wine to watch closely.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the domain :

Formerly the estate of the Carmes de Langon convent, Ch. Rieussec is established on an elevated position to the west of the commune of Fargues, of which it is the only 1er cru. Its square tower dominates a gravelly hilltop at the same height as its immediate neighbor, Yquem. Its well-established reputation earned it the rank of 1er cru classé in 1855. The estate passed through a succession of owners until 1984, when it was purchased by Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite in Pauillac). This acquisition brought significant technical, financial and human resources to this vast 90-hectare unit, 72 of which are vineyards.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

A blend of 83% Semillon and 17% Sauvignon Blanc, Rieussec 2017 is pale to medium lemon gold in color. To begin with, the nose wows you with intense notes of lemon tart, lime, mango and quince, followed by a second wave of floral scents, orange blossom and honeysuckle, then notes of crushed stones, crème caramel and marzipan join the party. Medium- to full-bodied, the palate is still tightly wound, with concentrated sweetness and a racy backbone. The wine delivers layer after layer of citrus and savory flavors, finishing on a lingering mineral note.

About the domain :

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the domain :

A Premier Cru Classé located in the commune of Fargues, Rieussec has always displayed a singular personality, with wines that are sometimes very powerful and rich in liqueur. When the wines are young, the noble rot takes on slightly less delicate aromas than elsewhere, but ageing compensates for this with beautiful liqueur-like flavors. While Rieussec may have disappointed in high-yield vintages, the level has been adjusted in more recent vintages. The 2013 and 2015 vintages vigorously express a fresher, more delicate style. A progression to follow closely.

Wine Enthusiast

About the wine:

#18 - TOP 100 WINES TO BUY IN 2020: Intense and richly sweet, this wine is also balanced, with both botrytis and baked apple acidity. This essential dryness gives the wine a dense core and ageing potential. A high proportion of Semillon adds weight at the end. Drink from 2020.

James Suckling

About the wine:

Inspiring depth with botrytis spice, caramel, dried apricots and cake sponge. Full-bodied, very delicate and lively, with a long, never-ending finish. Lively acidity balances the wine. Tight and linear. Compact column of fruit and botrytis. Give it age. Best after 2026.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

Golden yellow. Intense, complex bouquet! Obviously seductive, charming, but also convincing as it reveals itself with precision. Passion fruit, quince, candied orange and saffron. A sort of journey between sweetness and freshness. On the palate, Rieussec is racy, sweet, powerful, opulent and subtle. It couldn't be more paradoxical! What greatness, I've rarely tasted Rieussec so well... note that I always taste it well, in fact, but this one is of a breed and sweetness so complementary to each other that the balance is perfect. 2025-2052

Vert de Vin

About the wine:

The nose is fresh, fruity and crisp, offering depth, freshness and fine concentration. Notes of lemon, candied lemon peel and, to a lesser extent, mandarin orange and mandarin mesocarp are combined with hints of almond, nutmeg, cinnamon, white flowers and an imperceptible hint of jasmine. The palate is well-balanced, a little tight, precise and dense, offering freshness, unctuosity, an acidic structure, good tension and a slight airiness. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of candied lemon, candied nectarine and, more lightly, fresh pear/fresh white fruit, combined with fine touches of roasted pineapple, white flowers, candied ginger, as well as a hint of vanilla, sweet spices and fine hints of toasted almond. Good length.