HALVES In Bond per 24x37.5cl
"Neal Martin 93/100
The 2001 Rieussec is a blend of 96.5% Semillon and 3.5% Sauvignon Blanc picked between 17 September and 25 October in three tries. This is a somewhat controversial wine, one I have tasted many times. It seemed to flare with brilliance in its youth and subsequently never replicated that performance. Here, it has a mature nose with dried honey, yellow flowers and honeysuckle, the palate well balanced with ripe dried mango and orange rind notes, though it does not possess the same killer delineation as the 2005 on the finish. It remains a lovely Sauternes, but in this vertical tasting, I found more nervosité in the 2005, at least at this stage. The question is whether it will have a second wind later in life? Time will tell. Drink Date 2016 - 2035 Tasted April 2016. The Wine Advocate"
Located in the heart of Sauternes, Château Rieussec has been owned by Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) since 1984. In the 18th century, the Rieussec estate belonged to the Carmelite monks in Langon, and was ranked a Premier Grand Cru in Sauternes and Barsac. The 85-hectare vineyard is planted with Sémillon (81%), Sauvignon Blanc (17%), and Muscadelle (2%). Each vintage is aged in oak barrels, coming primarily from the tonnellerie des Domaines. Barrel ageing varies from 16 to 26 months, depending on the vintage.
