I couldn’t resist pulling one of my remaining bottles of 2010 Château Rieussec from the cellar. Burnished gold in the glass, it’s exactly as I remember the last bottle I sampled in 2014—a sumptuous mélange of dried apricots, mango, creme brûlée, cloves, acacia honey and a heady whiff of smoke and dried mint. Round, glycerol-laden and pure, bright acidity cavorts with unctuous fruit, until it merges with orange marmalade at the close. — March 01, 2018
As I sit at my desk writing about an entirely different wine, this seductress is unfurling before me, and I can fully appreciate its aromatic charms from a distance of several inches. Dried apricot, yellow peaches, star anise and clove, and crème brûlée round out the nose of this opulent Sauternes. On the palate, it’s unctuous and yet finely corseted in vibrant acidity and minerality. Every bit as good as the 1986 I tasted recently. Like Sleeping Beauty, all it requires is time. — January 15, 2016
Of note, Château Rieussec is a blend of 90 to 95% Sémillon, 5 to 10% Muscadelle and Sauvignon blanc and is aged for 18 to 26 months on oak, of which around 50% is new French oak. 14.0% ABV
95 Points
You’ll find my recipe and pairing for Crème Brûlée and Sauternes here.