Château Rieussec, 1er Cru Classé, Sauternes, 2016
Probably the biggest and most concentrated Sauternes of 2016, without being the sweetest or most viscous - vitally. Huge amounts of dry extract, earth and woody spice notes of licquorice, vanilla and spice, mixed with apricot jam and truffle in the background. 140 g / l of residual sugar. Immense flavours. 83% Semillon, 12% Sauvignon blanc and 5% Muscadelle.
critic reviews
The 2016 Rieussec is very well focused, with wild honey, acacia, saffron and beeswax scents that gain intensity with aeration. The palate is well balanced, with plenty of weight. Maybe it needs a little more race and acidic bite towards the finish, with a touch of toffee apple on the aftertaste. Just a delicious Sauternes. Tasted blind at the Southwold 10-Year-On tasting.
Pale lemon colored, the 2016 Rieussec comes sashaying out of the glass with a beautiful floral and citrus perfume of orange blossom, pink grapefruit, yuzu, lime leaves, lemongrass and fallen leaves with hints of nutmeg and candied ginger. Having shed a lot of the puppy fat from when I last tasted this from barrel, the palate reveals loads of elegant, tightly wound layers and seamless freshness, finishing long and fragrant.