Chateau Rieussec 2018 has been released at €30 per bottle ex-negotiant, down 28.6% on the previous five vintages, all which released at €42 per bottle. The wine comes with a recommended retail price of £396 per 12×75 – previous releases have ranged between £400 to £496 per 12×75.
Jane Anson of Decanter tasted the wine En Primeur and awarded 94 points. She noted “it’s highly attractive with a luscious, gorgeous texture and flavours that are concentrated but elegant and fine, showing touches of mandarin, saffron and spice alongside a creamy citrus mid-palate”.
James Suckling gave the wine a barrel range of 93-94, and described it as “very clean and fresh with banana, pineapple, and papaya character and hints of honey”.
Writing for Vinous, Neal Martin awarded the wine 90-92 and Antonio Galloni 88-91. Neal added in his note that the Rieussec was picked “in two or three tries through the vineyards”, and the wine “contains one of the highest percentages of Sauvignon Blanc (25%)”.
Although released at a generous discount to more recent vintages, there remains plenty of value to be found in the physical market. The high scoring 2009 for example. With Christmas fast approaching, those with a penchant for some of the best of Sauternes may wish to start planning.
