Chateau Rieussec 2002

Space limitations preclude including tasting notes. 2002 was an average vintage.

Aromas of apple tart, cream and honey carry through to a full-bodied palate, with plenty of sweetness and a finish of dried pineapple, vanilla and honey. Outstanding intensity. Best after 2008. 7,500 cases made.

Intense yellow. Complex, multi-layered nose with honey notes, peppery, perfumed botrytis, cooked peach. On the palate, creamy, dancing, already utterly silky, pure harmony, a clear aromatic profile aligned with Sauternes character, extremely long finish. A top wine, but this time not in the leading position.

03: Intense yellow. Complex, multi-layered nose; honey notes, peppery, perfumed botrytis, cooked peaches. On the palate creamy, dancing and already completely smooth; pure harmony and an aromatic profile clearly geared toward Sauternes character, extremely long finish. A top wine, but for once not in a leader position. 18/20 2005–2060

Dense, fresh, fruity bouquet with grapefruit. Balanced, elegant, concentrated palate with pronounced sweetness, good acidity, and full aromatics. Very long, full finish. 18/20 2012 - 2040

Yellow-green color. Nose of medium intensity. Fine. Fruity and fresh. More fresh-fruity than botrytized. Citrus note on swirling. A very aromatic wine with a very good taste of Semillon—highly floral and very fruity—interwoven with very pleasant zest nuances. The sweetness shows a bit mid-palate, and the finish ends with medium length where subtle bitterness plays its part. It’s good but, to my mind, not roasted.

Rich and, as usual, Rieusssec 2002 is still in its powerful, youthful phase. It will mellow in five years.