2006 Chateau Rieussec Premier Cru Classe

The 2006 Rieussec is a blend of 94% Semillon, 3% Sauvignon Blanc and 3% Muscadelle picked between 5 September and 10 October. The bouquet is a little smudged at first with marmalade and quince aromas, bit it soon clarifies in the glass to deliver the first signs of secondary aromas of beeswax and lanolin. The palate is medium-bodied with a viscous opening, a little more angular than the 2007 with barley sugar, quince and a touch of spice, though just like the 2007, I feel it does not quite deliver the persistence on the finish that you might expect. Nevertheless, this remains a fine Rieussec to enjoy over the next 20-odd years. Tasted April 2016.

Honeyed copper colour. Quite heavy, spicy and pungent. Quite forward. Very rich and attention-grabbing. Just a little nervy note on the finish, but good stuff! (JR)

Very dark with a hint of copper. Very big – lots of weight. Quite different from the rest – a risky note of sweet floral herbiness, something you find in Italian sweet things (candied peel?). Dry finish. Clearly pretty ambitious. Solid and creamy – pretty impressive though it needs lots of time. Very different from the other Sauternes in the UGC tasting. (JR)