2005 CHÂTEAU RIEUSSEC 2005

The 2005 Rieussec is a blend of 90% Semillon, 8% Sauvignon Blanc and 2% Muscadelle picked between 23 September and 27 October. It has a fabulous bouquet that is mineral-rich and tensile. The palate repeats its performance from last year: focused, tense, laden with botrytis-rich fruit with a crystalline and sorbet-fresh finish that seals the deal. One of the best releases from the estate in recent years.

Shows enticing aromas of toffee, cream, dried apricot and caramel. Full-bodied, very sweet and thick, with honey and caramel flavors. Long and rich, oozing with sweet, ripe fruit, this is like liquid candy. Best after 2016.

 As usual, a brilliant performance. Rieussec is all mellow honey and rounded, deeply ripe and concentrated fruit. The palate displays lovely botrytis, with a mouth-filling presence and terrific orangy verve and sharpness. Lovely structure here and real length.

Vanilla bean, honey coated tropical fruit, apricot and macadamia nut aromas move you into a lush, fat, sweet, dense wine with lots of sweetness, yet enough, much needed freshening acidity. Still young as expected, it's a lot of fun tasting these wines in their youth.

 Attractive honeyed nose with dried apricot and marmalade on the palate. This Sauternes offers intense, good concentration of flavors and high ripeness/sweetness level. Still young, just starting to drink well now.