The product image is for illustrative purposes only and may not exactly reflect the actual characteristics of the wine.
The wine
- Colour
- Dolce
- Alcohol
- 13.5% vol
Critics' scores
- Robert Parker / Wine Advocate 88
The 2000 Riessec is a blend of 65% Semillon, 24% Sauvignon Blanc and 11% Muscadelle picked between 22 September and 3 November. Deep in color, it has a simple lanolin and wax-scented bouquet. The palate is clean and fresh, quite respectable for the vintage with orange, mandarin and light spicy notes on the short, slightly smudged finish. Considering the challenges of the growing season, this really deserves a pat on the back, though I would be inclined to drink it in the near future, as it will not improve further. Tasted April 2016.
The producer: Château Rieussec
Under the same ownership as Lafite-Rothschild, the Château Rieussec vineyard is one of the largest properties in Sauternes and Barsac. The 93-hectare estate stretches from the border of Fargues and Sauternes, neighboring the vines of rival Château d’Yquem. Since 1984, Rieussec has belonged to Domaines Barons de Rothschild. They have made large investments in the cellar, as well as in the vineyards. This increase in quality-conscious procedures, including grape selection has led to smaller production numbers - here a single vine produces about a glass of wine. Fermentation is carried out in new-oak barriques, made by their very own cooper. The resulting wines are consistently powerful but classically structured, showing the opulence of Sauternes in an age-worthy Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc blend. This First Growth estate is undoubtedly a reference-point for sweet wine producers around the world.