2001 Chateau Rieussec Premier Cru Classe

Full bottle 1,367 g. Brilliant orangey gold (much less brown than many Rieussecs). Really fine with obvious botrytis, savoury notes and a surprisingly dry finish. This should go very nicely with our Roquefort tonight. (JR)

Full bottle 1,377 g. Beautiful, glowing orange-amber colour. Dusty, energetic nose with great combo of freshness and sweetness. A light toastiness and a hint of barley sugar but nothing remotely cloying and great persistence on a whistle-clean finish. But doubless criminally difficult to sell. (JR)

A magical Sauternes that shows how good the 2001 vintage was for the region, the 2001 Château Rieussec offers a spectacular nose of caramelized quince, honeyed flowers, crème brulée, and exotic spices. Wonderfully pure and precise, with good acidity, it still brings a monster of a mid-palate and has boatloads of fruit and opulence, flawless balance, and a brilliant finish.