Chateau Rieussec 2009 Sauternes, Bordeaux, France

“The 2009 Rieussec is a blend of 84% Semillon (relatively low), 12% Sauvignon Blanc and 4% Muscadelle picked between 17 September and 15 October over four pickings. It has a rich and powerful bouquet that overshadows the 2010, decadent ripe quince, peach and dried honey scents, a dab of beeswax developing with time. The palate is wonderfully balanced with botrytis-rich fruit, a multilayered and opulent Rieussec that somehow maintains quite brilliant balance towards the minerally finish. This is one of the great wines from the estate in the modern age. Tasted April 2016.”

97 points, Wine Advocate

The vineyards of Chateau Rieussec border those of the iconic Château d`Yquem. for a long time, Château Rieussec has been considered among Sauternes’ best. Harvests can last as long as 6 to 8 weeks, to allow multiple passes through the vineyards selectively picking only those grapes that meet specific standards of ripeness of the grapes and evolution of noble rot.

Fermented in barrels and aged for 16 to 26 months in oak barrel, of which 50% is new.