97 Points James Suckling
So much botrytis on the nose with spice, dried mushrooms and nutmeg. Dried lemons and mangoes. Full-bodied and medium sweet with density and, at the same time, lightness. I like that it is full of botrytis on the palate at the beginning and then turns fruity and very pretty at the end with citrus and fruit. Balanced, creamy and rich. Try after 2024, but already gorgeous.
97 Points Wine Enthusiast
Made by the Lafite-Rothschild team, this is a powerfully dense wine. It has intense botrytis and fine acidity, as well as sumptuous ripe marmalade and apricot flavors. This is certainly for long-term aging.
97 Points Jeb Dunnuck
A step up over the Carmes de Rieussec, the beautiful 2016 Château Rieussec has remarkable purity and freshness while still packing beautiful depth of fruit. Honeyed peach, apricot, flower oil, and even a hint of wet stone all emerge from this full-bodied, thick, opulent effort. I love it. It has a rounded, sexy style ideal for drinking any time over the coming 15-20 years. The 2016 is a final blend of 83% Sémillon, 12% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Muscadelle.
96 Points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A barrel sample blended of 83% Sémillon, 12% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Muscadelle, the 2016 Rieussec is pale to medium lemon colored with a touch of gold. The nose features intense honeycomb, mandarin peel, candied ginger and lemongrass scents with wafts of allspice and musk perfume. The palate is very rich, full and opulent with tons of spicy layers and a lively line to lift the densely packed fruit to a long finish.
Barrel Sample: 94-96
96 Points Decanter
A great Sauternes with a wonderful brightness and freshness, this gathers speed through the palate, developing flavours of cinnamon, caramel, white pepper, clove and smoked pineapple, all wrapped in an extremely silky texture. It's still in barrel, and will be for another few months. Around 50% new oak.
93 Points Wine Spectator
Quite fresh, with acacia and honeysuckle notes out front, followed by a stream of mirabelle plum, yellow apple, pineapple and white peach flavors. Offers an unctuous feel on the finish while staying on the brighter side. Among the top efforts in the vintage. Best from 2022 through 2035.
Winemaker Notes
Blend: 83% Semillon, 12% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Muscadelle.
Bright, golden yellow colour. The nose is fresh and powerful with citrus notes, particularly tangerine skin. These are complemented by toasted aromas from the perfectly integrated oak. On the palate, the attack is very fresh and balanced, characterized by mellowness and finesse. The wine then reveals its power, with a sensation of fullness and tremendous density. The very long, lingering finish offers aromas of dried apricots, caramel and bitter orange.
