Château Rieussec 2024

Finely spicy and profound, with notes of raisins, figs, lemon zest and ripe pineapple. On the palate, rich, with clearly perceptible sweetness, a creamy texture and outstanding acidity in counterpoint. The wine shows fine drive, yet notably less opulence than in previous years; a very long, fresh finish. Superb balance of all elements.

Cloudy yellow-green hue in the glass. Restrained on the nose at first, the wine then reveals an intense palate of bitter orange marmalade, juicy stone fruit, and vibrant acidity. Fresh and lively, with a fruity finish lifted by a pleasant bitter twist, it lacks aromatic punch but delivers energy and length. 138 g/l residual sugar.

A sweet and energetic sauterne with creme caramel, meringue and vanilla character. Medium-bodied, very sweet with a fresh and bright finish. Plenty of nougat too. Delicious now.

Pale gold in colour, curling gunsmoke and cold ash aromatics on the opening, then widens and deepens to show grilled pineapple, mango, white pear, nectarine pit, sage and saffon. Skilfully balanced, lovely juice and texture, clear ageing ability. Mathieu Crosnier new technical director. 140g/l of residual sugar.

Shy at first, the nose eventually reveals a few fruity aromas, lovely freshness and an almost saline touch. That freshness carries through on the palate, leading into a creamy finish.

The 2024 bouquet highlights the care devoted to finesse and subtlety. In a way, it’s a bit like the dry wine, but within a Sauternes logic, of course. The high proportion of Sémillon underlines this variety’s dominance in the vintage, as does botrytis, though it was essential to pick the berries at just the right moment. Subtle notes of mirabelle plum, apricot, fresh pineapple and peppermint. Suave on the attack, the wine also shows salinity and real character. A contemporary Sauternes—seductive, exhilarating and irresistibly moreish—so focused is it on balance. Everything is coherent and harmonious, with an excellent interplay between bitterness and acidity that neutralizes—or rather frames—the sweetness. It will stand the test of time while remaining approachable in youth. A superb success.

The nose is fresh, elegant and refined, with real depth. It reveals notes of citrus, dried lemon and, more subtly, dried mandarin, along with hints of crunchy small fruits, delicate touches of ripe small yellow fruits, and subtle notes of sweet spices, almost eucalyptus-like. The palate is mineral, fruity, fresh and harmonious, offering an airy, supple texture, elegance, a tangy acidic backbone, energy and fine definition. The finish unfolds slowly, with an enveloping feel. On the palate, the wine shows notes of quenette, crunchy green peach and, more lightly, crushed nectarine, combined with hints of crushed physalis, as well as delicate touches of pineapple in syrup, subtle nuances of acacia/eucalyptus and fresh spices. A pleasant, gentle chew and a hint of dried apricot appear on the finish/length. There is also a pastry-like, almost biscuit-like finish, and an iodine note in the background, almost pearly. A subtle tannic touch on the attack.

Pale yellow color. An intense, delicate and pure nose, fruity, subtle and botrytised. An airy, melting palate that develops with complexity into a long finish, with slight bitterness. Blend: 83% sémillon, 17% sauvignon. Alcohol content: 13.7% - pH: 3.86. Residual sugar: 138 g/l. Yield: 16 hl/ha.