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Rieussec 2005

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Sauternes and Barsac
ColourSweet White
TypeStill
Grape VarietySauvignon Blanc/Semillon

View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Château Rieussec

Label

Tasting Notes

96
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (176), April 2008

Tasted blind against the Rieussec 2001 as a comparison, the Château Rieussec 2005 has a more airy bouquet at first and here I find more mineralité on the nose, more precision and focus that the Rieussec 2001. The palate is clean and fresh with vibrant acidity, real tension here with marmalade, lemon curd, apricot and cold stone. Wonderful acidity is interwoven throughout this Sauternes that demonstrates real race and sophistication. It is not as rich or as hedonistic as the Rieussec 2001, but I think the slightly better wine. More breeding and energy. Do not overlook this gem. Drink 2015-2045.

96
Neal Martin, Wine Advocate (219), June 2015

Loads of spicy honey and apple character. Full-bodied, medium-sweet, with a solid core of fruit and lots of botrytis character. Very racy. Not the 2001 but superb.

95/100
James Suckling, WineSpectator.com, March 2006

Tasted blind. Deep, coppery gold. Rich and round with a savoury undertow. Exciting without being particularly sweet. Some bruised apple-skin character.
Drink 2016-2035

17
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, March 2017

Chateau Rieussec has been among the very top wines for several years now, and this is one of the best. The nose has a lovely perfume with intensity, freshness and beauty. The wine has a terrific finish; concentration with a light touch because of the freshness, finesse, a lovely vinosity and perfect balance. 5 points

5
David Peppercorn MW, Decanter.com, May 2006
Read more tasting notes...

To my surprise, I have never encountered this vintage of Rieussec before. It is certainly superior to the 1989 tasted alongside. The nose is very attractive with intense honeyed fruit interlaced with Devonshire fudge and coconut, the oak quite dominant. The palate has a sensual entry with crisp acidity, touches of honeycomb and orange peel interlaced with almond and vanilla that lead to a very caressing, lingering finish. This is a very fine Sauternes.

94
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, September 2011

Coppery. Diffuse rather toasty nose. Very very sweet but with enormous acidity too and depth. Toasty, almost burnt, a very strong expression with some depth though the sweetness is such that it easily masks everything else at this stage. Drink 2017–30

18
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2006
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.