Château Rieussec, 1er Cru Classé, Sauternes, 2003
Apple compote, citrus and pear aromas, with racy sauvignon freshness and big botrytised fruit. It is creamy and textured on the palate, very sweet yet refined, with good complexity and fine acidity. A very good Rieussec.
critic reviews
The 2003 Rieussec is a blend of 91% Semillon, 6% Sauvignon Blanc and 3% Muscadelle picked between 17 September and 1 October. Much deeper in color than other vintages, it has a mature, almost tropical mango and passion fruit nose that feels a little one-dimensional. The palate is medium-bodied and smooth on the entry, a little waxy in texture with nutmeg and dried honey notes on the mature, Tokaji-like finish. Given my previous remarks, I wonder if this Rieussec is in decline, especially as vintages of similar age appear to be prospering. Approach with caution. Tasted April 2016.
Medium yellow-gold. Reticent but pure aromas of fruit salad, spices and vanilla, lifted by floral and mineral nuances. Wonderfully honeyed, fat fruit flavors are complemented by cinnamon, clove and nutmeg. The sexy oak treatment gives lift to the wine. A bit youthfully aggressive but very long on the back end, showing vanillin oak and a bit of warmth. But this one offers superb potential.