Chateau Rieussec 2009

Château Rieussec, 1er Grand Cru Classe, Sauternes, Bordeaux, 2009

Grapes: 85% Semillon, 11% Sauvignon and 4% Muscadelle, 93ha vineyard on gravel over sandy clay soils, hand harvested, aged 26 months in French oak barrels (50% new), Yield 12.5 hL/ha, residual sugar 157 g/l

One of the richest wines of the vintage at 13.75% alcohol. Picked over 10 days at the end of September and the beginning of October, this is an intense, concentrated wine of perfect balance and class. The best Rieussec since the monumental 2001. Bordering the vineyards of Château d'Yquem, the estate is owned by Barons de Rothschild of Chateau Lafite Rothschild.

Producer Tasting Note:

A long period of ageing in oak barrels was needed to round off this very powerful wine. Citrus and fresh fruit aromas combine with candied apricot and green almonds on the nose. Great length on the palate matched with lively, fresh fruit, and a strong impression of honey and acacia blossom.

Critics' Tasting Notes:

On first tasting:

"Heavy and rich and wonderfully sumptuous. Great richness. Density and breadth. Still very chewy but there is lots here. Very rewarding." Drink 2018-2036

18/20 points, Jancis Robinson, March 2010

Tasted after ten years from its vintage, this comes within a whisker of perfection!

"Pale to medium gold colored, the 2009 Rieussec sings of crème caramel, chopped nuts, baked apples and spiced pears with hints of jasmine, peach blossoms and beeswax. Full-bodied, rich and decadently creamy in the mouth, the multilayered palate is beautifully lifted with fantastic freshness. It has a very long finish offering a lasting impression of great elegance and finesse. Simply stunning." Drink 2019-2050

98/100 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate, March 2019

In this year, 2009, the illustrious d'Yquem achieved a perfect 100 score, but costs at least five times as much as Rieussec.