Château Rieussec Sauternes Bordeaux France 2019 (14% ABV) — 90.5
SF | Rieussec pallor, a nose of lanolin, soapstone, white pepper and quince.....the oak is in the ascendant, the spicy notes distracting from botrytic potential or even the level of sweetness. Coconut and nougat, soft red fruit from somewhere; cinnamon and clove. All very well, but distracting from inherent Sauvignon freshness and from the waxy essence of Semillon-derived Sauternes. So, competent, agreeable, but not all that expressive when it comes to the property or, for that matter, the year in question. 89
AJ | Bright medium-gold with straw-lemon glints. Tangy and honeyed, with butter and brandy-snap, too. Very alluring. Dense and vivid on the palate. A bit like Guiraud, it is quite strong and masterful, forceful and energetic -- thus a little less seductively sensual in my book than wines like Rabaud and Sigalas. There's a huge amount to enjoy, though, and it is pristine, clean, clear and set up for ageing -- so let's see ...Drink Dates: 2024 - 2038. 92