2007 CH RIEUSSEC 1ER CRU SAUTERNES - 12x75cl

Tasting Notes

• 

  Neal Martin, February 2012,
  Score: 93

  Tasted single blind against its peers. The Rieussec 2007 has a subtle nose of dried honey, pear, a touch of quince and crushed stone on the nose, the oak better integrated than last year. The palate is well-balanced with stem ginger and honeycomb on the entry. It is linear compared to its peers, there is no flourish on the finish as yet, but it has fine definition and hints of tangy marmalade and lemongrass that should become more accentuated with time. Tasted January 2011.

• 

  Neal Martin, April 2010,
  Score: 93

  This has a very primal nose, the oak exposed at the moment although there is obviously a great deal of fruit concentration underneath. The palate is well balanced, a little oaky on the entry, dried honey, lemon curd, apricot and orange peel towards the linear finish. Tightly coiled Sauternes, quite modern in style, this should develop over 8-10 years in the bottle before really opening up and one hopes, evolve a little more “personality”. Drink 2011-2025.

• 

  Neal Martin, April 2008,
  Score: 92-94

  This Rieussec has a dense, quite oaky nose at the moment with good fruit concentration underneath. Honey, apple-blossom and peach. The palate is very well balanced with a lot of botrytis. One of the few really unctuous, weighty 2007 Sauternes with great length and persistency. Honey and citrus lemon on the finish. Very focused although perhaps it lacks the "soul" of some other 2007's here. Drink 2010-2025. Tasted April 2008.

• 

  Robert Parker

  This has a very primal nose, the oak exposed at the moment although there is obviously a great deal of fruit concentration underneath. The palate is well balanced, a little oaky on the entry, dried honey, lemon curd, apricot and orange peel towards the linear finish. Tightly coiled Sauternes, quite modern in style, this should develop over 8-10 years in the bottle before really opening up and one hopes, evolve a little more “personality”. Drink 2011-2025.

• 

  Jancis Robinson, April 2008,
  Score: 19

  Sweet, vaguely sticky nose. Certainly impressive for the sugar level! And there's an attractivesavoury undertow that stops it being sickly. Lots there. Reverberates. Long. Very long. It has that thing that a good Condrieu has: a subtext. Drink 2018-35.

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Producer

Château Rieussec

Rieussec's 90 hectares of vineyard occupy one of the highest points in the Sauternes after those of neighbouring Yquem. Unusually the vineyard is one unit, and not made up of several parcels like most Bordeaux properties.The good work started by Albert Vuillier (more oak, and increased passes picking more developed grapes) in the 1970's has been continued by the current owners - Domaines Baron de Rothschild (of Lafite) - who rebuilt the chai in 1989. Vines are on average 25 years old, with Plantings predominantly Semillon (92%) with a small amount of Sauvignon Blanc (5%) and Muscadelle (3%). If the year is judged too poor as in 1993, the grand vin is not made at all. Bottlings under the name Clos Labère are also produced. The deeply coloured wine has a rich, honeyed style, which exhibits great precision and tremendous persistance.