2016 Rieussec 2016 375ml

97 POINTS

Jeb Dunnuck

A step up over the Carmes de Rieussec, the beautiful 2016 Château Rieussec has remarkable purity and freshness while still packing beautiful depth of fruit. Honeyed peach, apricot, flower oil, and even a hint of wet stone all emerge from this full-bodied, thick, opulent effort. I love it. It has a rounded, sexy style ideal for drinking any time over the coming 15-20 years. The 2016 is a final blend of 83% Sémillon, 12% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Muscadelle.

97 POINTS

James Suckling

So much botrytis on the nose with spice, dried mushrooms and nutmeg. Dried lemons and mangoes. Full-bodied and medium sweet with density and, at the same time, lightness. I like that it is full of botrytis on the palate at the beginning and then turns fruity and very pretty at the end with citrus and fruit. Balanced, creamy and rich. Try after 2024, but already gorgeous.

96 POINTS

Yves Beck - Yvesbeck.wine

Jaune doré. Bouquet complexe, fumé, fruité, aux notes confites avec des abricots et des mangues. Mise en bouche suave et grasse. Très belle intensité aromatique, parfaitement soutenue par la race de l'acidité et par une douceur subtile qui marque l'ensemble du palais sans être envahissante. Un vin qui mérite quelques années de garde avant d'être approché… on aura ensuite suffisamment de temps pour l'apprécier durant les décennies à suivre. Finale fruitée et persistante. 2026-2066 96/100

96 POINTS

Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW - Wine Advocate

Pale lemon colored, the 2016 Rieussec comes sashaying out of the glass with a beautiful floral and citrus perfume of orange blossom, pink grapefruit, yuzu, lime leaves, lemongrass and fallen leaves with hints of nutmeg and candied ginger. Having shed a lot of the puppy fat from when I last tasted this from barrel, the palate reveals loads of elegant, tightly wound layers and seamless freshness, finishing long and fragrant.

96 POINTS

Jane Anson - Decanter

A great Sauternes with a wonderful brightness and freshness, this gathers speed through the palate, developing flavours of cinnamon, caramel, white pepper, clove and smoked pineapple, all wrapped in an extremely silky texture. It's still in barrel, and will be for another few months. Around 50% new oak. Drinking Window 2022 - 2040

95 POINTS

Antonio Galloni MW - Vinous

Still in barrel, the 2016 Rieussec is shaping up to be glorious. Ample, rich and super-expressive, the 2016 is a wine of real pedigree and distinction. Pineapple, orange marmalade, spice, apricot and lightly honeyed notes all flesh out. Even with all of its obvi depth and resonance , the 2016 remains gracious, not to mention incredibly delicious. The 140 grams of residual sugar are not especially notable, and so the 2016 is rich but not at all heavy.

94 POINTS

Neal Martin - Vinous

The 2018 Rieussec has plenty of botrytis on the nose, along with scents of honey, white peach, saffron, lanolin and walnut that gain intensity with aeration. The very well balanced palate presents a viscous opening and a fine bead of acidity. Generous and poised, with hints of marzipan and Turkish Delight decorating the finish. Excellent. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

93 POINTS

Neal Martin - Wine Advocate

The 2016 Rieussec is a blend of 83% Sémillon, 12% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Muscadelle picked form 26 September until 4 November. It has a much more straightforward bouquet compared to the 2015 with light honeysuckle and white flower aromas. There is good acidity in the mouth thanks the passerillé berries, nicely balanced with a touch of orange zest towards the linear finish that will hopefully gain more weight during its élevage. It is likely to be an earlier-drinking Rieussec than the 2015.