2011 CHÂTEAU RIEUSSEC 1er Cru Classé Sauternes, Lea & Sandeman

CHÂTEAU RIEUSSEC

2011 1er Cru Classé Sauternes

IN STOCK
Grapes Sauv Blanc, Sémillon, Muscadelle
Origin France, Bordeaux
District Left Bank
Sub-district Sauternes-Barsac
Village Sauternes
Classification 1er Cru Classé
ABV 14%

Green highlighted gold. Rather a cool, fat but dry expression. It grows, quite a fibrous feel, then softens. There's lots here but it's not that expressive. The sweetness really comes through on the finish. Rating: 92+? L&S (Apr 2012)

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The 2011 Rieussec has a lifted, at the moment quite oaky, bouquet with scents of honey, almond and pineapple. Hopefully it will develop more definition by the time of bottling. The palate is medium-bodied with tropical fruit and mandarin on the entry and a satisfying viscous core of honeyed fruit. It seems a little disjointed towards the finish, although I am sure it will become more cohesive by the time of bottling. For me, it just seems a little predictable. Drink 2015-2028 Rating: 91-93 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com

A very rich and impressive style here, clearly showing deeply buried character, as there is concentration and well-defined fruit complicated by deep, white-nut character, perhaps blanched almonds, textured and deep but not suggestive of the evolved, nutty character of maturity. The palate is rich and energy-filled, pure and with the same fruit character as the nose, but with a bright and pure tone. The acid seam running underneath the wine is fabulous, giving a bright definition to the wine. Superb potential here. Lots of grip and form to it suggestive of deeply buried botrytis. Rating: 18-19 Chris Kissack, www.thewinedoctor.com

Mid gold, linseed and grapefruit mixed and a fine line of orange through the middle. Rich, golden and almost syrupy on the palate. A little sour and oily on the finish and so rich the acidity is hard to spot except that the whole is in balance. Spicy aftertaste and very long. 2019-2032 Rating: 17 Julia Harding MW, www.JancisRobinson.com

Château Rieussec

Sauternes Premier Cru 1855 For several generations, Château Rieussec has been a leading name in Sauternes wines. As early as 1868, Charles Cocks remarked that “Beyond any of the others, Rieussec produces wines that are very similar to Yquem wines”. The modern history of Rieussec, and the beginning of a remarkable rennaissance, starts with the purchase of the estate by Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) in 1984. A new winery was completed in 1989 and yields restricted to maximise quality. There are 92ha of vineyard, planted with 90% Semillon, 7% Sauvignon Blanc and 3% Muscadelle. Fermentation takes place in barrels from DBR's own cooperage. Aging is 18 to 26 months depending on the year, including 55% in new barrels.

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