Château Rieussec - Sauternes 2015

Vinous

97 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe2/27/2018

The 2015 Rieussec is gorgeous. Scents of apricot jam, honey, mint and wild flowers lift from the glass. Delicate and gracious, with terrific freshness, the wine is all polish. Reflecting both the style of the year and the desire to make a slightly lighter Sauternes, the 2015 is rendered in a style the emphasizes finesse over power. The blend is 86% Sémillon and 14% Sauvignon Blanc.

Wine Advocate

96 / 100

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe2/22/2018

A blend of 86% Sémillon and 14% Sauvignon Blanc, the 2015 Rieussec reveals a bright, pale straw-gold color and is a little closed at this youthful stage, yet it offers wonderful purity and depth, featuring notes of lemon marmalade, orange blossoms, beeswax and acacia honey with hints of preserved kumquats and peach compote. Very elegant and fine in the medium to full-bodied mouth, it features a racy backbone cutting through the earthy and citrus layers, finishing long and spicy.

Jamessuckling.com

99 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/12/2018

OMG. This is amazing. This is the new 2001. Incredible purity of botrytis and ripeness. Full-on. So driven and precise. Full-bodied, very sweet and electrified. Pineapple jam and mangoes — endless tropical fruits. This ends very clean and is almost tannic on the finish. A truly great Sauternes. Energy. Drink or hold.

Decanter.com

97 / 100

byJane Ansonthe1/26/2018

Taking things to another dimension, this has power, spice, and a saffron-edged sexiness. Quince, roasted white peaches and bitter oranges are coupled with a biting seam of white pepper. There's such density here, and a soft, silky texture with a kick.

Decanter.com

97 / 100

byJane Ansonthe11/15/2017

Taking things to another dimension, this has power, spice, and a saffron-edged sexiness. Quince, roasted white peaches and bitter oranges are coupled with a biting seam of white pepper. There's such density here, and a soft, silky texture with a kick.

Vinifera

4-5 / 5

the5/31/2016

Le nez est loin d’avoir dévoilé tout son potentiel. Corps imposant avec une grande liqueur. Même très riche, l’ensemble est déjà très équilibré et déroule son rythme sans heurts jusqu’à la finale d’une très grande longueur.

Wine Advocate

95-97 / 100

byNeal Martinthe4/29/2016

The 2015 Rieussec, a blend of 86% Semillon and 14% Sauvignon Blanc, was picked over five tries through the vineyard between 9 September and 27 October. "We had a bit of frost towards the end and 10% was harvested afterwards. The quality was affected and this was put into the second wine," winemaker Eric Kohler informed me. This year the grand vin constitutes between one-third and one-fourth of the total crop. It has a fragrant bouquet, of honey, white almond and peach, that is disarmingly seductive. The palate is refined and poised: a lovely thread of acidity here, with a keen mineral-laden finish that leaves the mouth tingling with pleasure. This is a top-tier Rieussec that hits all the right buttons. Drink 2020-2055

Bettane & Desseauve

18,5-19 / 20

the4/28/2016

Fabuleuse richesse aromatique et grande suite en bouche, liqueur monumentale, du très grand Rieussec.

Vinous

94-97 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe4/27/2016

The 2015 Rieussec is wonderfully polished, nuanced and, dare I say it - restrained - in this vintage. An exotic mélange of apricot pit, peach, white flowers, mint and pineapple make a strong first impression, but it is the wine's overall feel that is most impressive. The 2015 is an especially finessed Rieussec.

timatkin.com

96 / 100

byTim Atkin MWthe4/20/2016

René Gabriel

18 / 20

the4/10/2016

Mitteldunkles Gelb, somit recht intensiv, leuchtender Rand. Intensives Bouquet, Kamille, Honig, kalter Aprikosengelée und einen Hauch von reifen Quitten zeigend, alles vermischt mit einer deutlichen Botrytisnote. Dicklicher, fast öliger Fluss, zeigt einen grossen Reichtum, die Säure hat noch etwas Mühe, diese Opulenz auszugleichen, fast Finale wirkt dann fast etwas übersüss, also fehlt (noch?) die Balance. Potentialwertung: 18/20 2025 – 2048

Jamessuckling.com

97-98 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/5/2016

The is a phenomenal wine with dried pineapple and pear aromas and flavors. Full, very sweet. Incredible depth and power. Super complex.