Château Rieussec - Sauternes 2021 (750ml)
Price: $139.99
| Producer | Château Rieussec |
| Country | France |
| Region | Bordeaux |
| Varietal | Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Sku | 205587 |
| Size | 750ml |
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Château Rieussec Description
Classified as a First Growth in 1855. Rieussec is one of the biggest estates of Sauternes with 227 acres of vines, situated on the “communes” of Sauternes and Fargues, high above the Garonne River, in a small area where the cold Autumn dawns help form the famous mist. It is this mist which many believe plays a major role in the development of botrytis cinerea (noble rot). Château Rieussec is located in Fargues (adjacent to Château d’Yquem). In the 18th century, the Rieussec estate belonged to the Carmes de Langon monks. Sold as a “national inheritance” after the French Revolution, Rieussec experienced several changes of owners before being acquired by Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) in 1984. Since then, meticulous plot selection and important innovative methods have been used in the cellars to enhance quality.
Château Rieussec is one of the largest properties in Sauternes and Barsac, covering 85 hectares of gravel sitting on sandy-clay soils. The vintage began well with a mild, dry winter. The fine weather continued into early spring, resulting in an early start to the growth cycle. During this period, the colder and drier than usual weather slowed down the vines’ growth. After a relatively cold, rainy start, June suddenly changed, bringing an early summer heat wave. The vines seemed better equipped than in previous years to cope with the heat. Some miraculous rain arrived in late July, at just the right moment to trigger véraison (color change). The rain in September was very helpful for the botrytis. But the harvests turned out to be more complex, with rigorous sorting required to keep the nicely botrytized ones. Early October was opportune to pick perfectly balanced grapes for the Grand Vin.
Tasting Note: Delicate golden color with soft green glints. Intense nose with tremendous aromatic richness. Initial notes of citrus zest are followed by lemon tart, and then toasted notes reminiscent of freshly baked brioche. The palate offers mandarin zest and candied orange, enlivened by a touch of star anise underscoring the wine’s aromatic freshness. Dense and rich, the palate has good length with a pleasant hint of bitterness on the finish.
Wine Advocate: 93 Points
Revealing a fruity, energetic bouquet, the 2021 Rieussec, a blend of 91% Sémillon and 9% Sauvignon Blanc, is a great performance in Sauternes. Medium to full-bodied, supple and enveloping, it’s perfectly balanced with a fleshy core of fruit and a mineral, saline finish.
Vinous: 92 Points
The 2021 Rieussec doesn't quite deliver the complexity one expects on the nose. Clean and pure, it displays yellow plum, acacia honey and a hint of apricot, but it needs more delineation and energy. The palate is well-balanced with a fine bead of acidity. There's a bit of new oak here, but it is seductively smooth with fine acidity and a caressing, honeyed finish.
