Charity Wine Pairings for Hospice House Auction winners; 4/6/2024-4/7/2024 (Bellingham): I opened this as it was the anniversary year for two of our guests. From a half bottle, paired with mousse of foie gras. Fairly dark in color. Very rich, dominated by the botrytis character. It doesn't have the energy or complexity of the '89s or '01s, but it was solid and delicious.
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Double decanted because some cork bits ended up in the wine. A really wonderful Sauternes. Medium golden color. Moderate sweetness with an equally moderate acid backbone that put it all into balance. The wine paired equally well with foie gras and also with sweetbreads, but also paired well with a chestnut tart at dessert. Only one bottle left, but I must find more.
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Copper color in the bottle, but more golden in the glass. Somewhat muted tropical fruit; nice balance, particularly the acidity; not cloying; sweet, but not as sweet as many other sauternes tasted. Seems almost fresh and young. After some time in the glass the flavors developed a bit more, but still not as pronounced as I expected. At age 35 it could have been oxidized, burnt caramel, out-of-balance - but was not, and I'm grateful for that. Still, very nice, but hoped for more.
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Surprised a bit at how well this wine has held up. Color had shifted to a dark amber (my D'Yquem of similar age remains straw colored. Rich nose of honey and tropical fruit. Sweet but not cloying with pineapple, marzipan, caramel, and honeyed notes. Good acidity and length of finish. Highly enjoyable Sauterne which appears to still have a long life ahead! Addendum - Review of the Chateau website notes that the noted color change is 'usual' for this Sauterne
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It was a wonderful wine with nice tropical fruits with pineapple. Medium finish. It was not very thick but had an integrated sweetness that revealed layers of flavor. Did well for 35 years.
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Outstanding. Does not have the energy and mouth-watering acidity that the best Yquem vintages have, but this was absolutely delightful. This has aged extremely well over 35 years and is certainly showing all the hallmarks of beautifully aged Sauternes such as rich dried apricots, orange marmalade and raw honey. The dark amber color is gorgeous.
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Orange/gold color. Pleasant and correct, but it noticeably complex. Paired with apple crumble with Cointreau-laced whipped cream, which might have been magical, given others’ mentions of orange/apricot marmalade…
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No notes taken. This showed well matured with burnt sugar, honey, waxy notes and a touch of saffron. Quite good tension and acidity backbone to keep it fairly light and prevent a cloying appearance. A good wine and vintage of Rieussec but nothing exceptional missing that extra complexity, precision and lightness for a higher rating. We had this side by side with the Yquem 1996 and despite being from a weaker Sauternes vintage, the Yquem easily eclipsed the Rieussec with a much finer frame, better acidity backbone, much more tension as well as higher precision. 92/93 pts.
Decanting: I would decant this an hour or two.
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Tasted at Le Clarence in Paris. Amber color. Candid fig, plum and raisins, fine layers of saffron and spice. Nicely creamy texture with an amazing structure and structural acidity. A great aged Sauternes, but lacks the layers, precision and weightlessness of the best in class (which is basically always Yquem).
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Orange/gold in color. Soaring aromas of tangerines, apricots, saffron, vanilla creme brûlée and dried honey. Rich and unctuous palate reveals sweet tangerine/apricot marmalade, medium acidity and a very long honeyed and spice inflected finish. This is drinking great.
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Light toffee, white flowers, root ginger and minerality on the nose. No indication of its 34 years at initial smell. My first sip was tiny and it was like fireworks in my mouth. Amazing viscosity with flavours of flower honey, vanilla, cream, pineapple tarte tatin, more root ginger, white pepper, ripe orange, so much going on. Extraordinary length. You keep salivating long after swallowing. Great structure. Based on this bottle it will last a century or more. I’ve had Sauternes from the 2000s that present as older, of course from halves though. This is like a gymnast, like Max Whitlock on the pommel horse or rings, huge power but magnificently graceful. It has the waxy, weighty semillon quality. With air some marmalade. It’s beautiful.
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Opened seven hours prior to drinking and drank over two hours. Deep gold in the glass. Exceptionally youthful with a spiced component of ginger, saffron, and fenugreek. Caramelised, slightly burnt sugar, vanilla Chantilly, and a fragrant burst of orange blossom and mandarin oil provide additional nuances. The density and concentration is a an absolute joy yet what impresses most is the elegance and restraint on show. Luscious and textured. Outstanding.
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Coravin. Very floral, fruit base wine. Lovely, youthful color. A bit flat and tart on the Finnish. Once in the glass, 30 min. Much better after finish. Needs a decant and will finish another day.
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Out of a 375…this is not kicking my ass. Crème brûlée without the fruit. It has all the right flavors but does not have the richness vanilla custard, orange peel, cinnamon, coffee, dried apricot, and white flowers. Very aromatic, but lacks the mouth.
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Annual Tasting Group Holiday Party (St. Genevieve, Mpls, MN): Deep gold color. Small glass. I've always loved the '88 Rieussec. Here's another great bottle not long after the last one. This has excellent cut and balance, nicely mature yet retaining the vibrancy I want in my older Sauternes. Love the spice fruit mix with orange marmalade and peach and honeyed creme brulee.
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A stacked cabernet lineup (James and Carrie's house): Rieussec did a lot better in 1988 than Suduiraut did. This sauternes has mellowed with age, become extremely complex, shed some sweetness. Fabulous mature sauternes.
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Same bottle as Rocknroller and I'd Rather Be Drinking Wine. Didn't take notes on this bottle but agree wholeheartedly with their assessment. This was in such a nice place, not too sweet, with great balance between orange marmalade flavors and acid.
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Outstanding Old World Napa Cabs: PnP - Love Sauternes in general, but it is a nice treat to drink a nice, aged one from a stellar vintage. 1988-89-90 was the original trio of stellar vintages in Sauternes, and this wine lived up to the reputation! I find Rieussec one of the most consistent wines in Sauternes and, along with Climens, rate it just below Yquem. This wine showed plenty of honeyed stone fruits on the nose with lots of honeysuckle and burnt orange. The palate was bursting with apricot, peaches, orange rind and pot de creme, with some vanilla and spice. A great way to end our tasting! (It went superbly with the berry cake served with it!) 93-94 points.
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Old OG Napa Cabs (James & Carrie's, Northern Burbs, Mpls): Medium dark gold color, fairly light for the age. PNP, drank a glass over 30 minutes. Just lovely, with white flowers, creme brulee, orange marmalade, honey, fresh cut peach, pitch perfect spice, medium bodied and sublimely balanced. Gracefully delicious and aging beautifully.
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Dark amber. Rich dried apricot and menthol nose, lots of spice, honey and saffron as well. Rich sweet caramel and baked fruit flavours and a long rich exotic finish.
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Extremely rich palate, nose was comparatively subdued. Finish had some funky nutty flavor that eventually blew off after an hour. Could be worth decanting or pulling the cork an hour or two before.
Will pick up another bottle.
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Berserker Offline (Mathilde Bistro - SF): Wonderful concentration and cut, and on the drier side for Rieussec (or the sugar has “melted away”). Lightly evolved and complex nose – toffee almond, peach, Seville orange marmalade, and a bit of burnt caramel. Palate is fairly rich, layered with tropical fruit, almond-marzipan, ripe apricots and medium botrytis, but offset by bracing acid and cocktail bitters.
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A 375 ml bottle, bought on release in 1991. Dark golden. Very sweet and pronounced floral aromas of peaches, apricots and honey. Very viscous similar flavors, very rich and concentrated, nicely balanced with acidity so not cloying. The taste goes on and on as it coats the palate. We drank half, then forgot about it for about three months in the refrigerator. It was just as great as when first opened! This has been our consistent experience with great Sauternes. This can probably keep going for years! Still have 11 in the cellar but no rush to drink them. Ric
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Becoming quite dark and golden. The bouquet made our hearts race with its living, kaleidoscopic pineapple, burnt caramel, french herbs, and orange peel. On the palate great poise and tension between the still-electric fruit and the perfect viscosity, with lovely presence and a firey spicy note, revealing secret after bitter-sweet secret as it slowly fades. Throughout a week in the fridge this became simpler and a tad tired. While this probably has more years of interesting evolution, it's hard to recommend anything other than drinking at current peak.
Gorgeous amber color. More developed than the same vintage of Climens I have in the cellar. Lovely nose but somewhat muted in taste. I prefer my Sauternes with a punchier acidity, which has somewhat faded here. Drink up!
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- A Long finish - Soft and sweet with a honey, almond, and tropical fruit blend. It has a beautiful orange color which makes the glass a fanciful view. Definitely still in its prime but I wouldnt wait on this one.
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Of 7 bottles opened, there was one outlier - not at all different in its gorgeous expression of pure bitter orange and almond, but augmented by a fine bergamot note and mineral. Superb, complete, and with lots of life ahead though arguably in the perfect spot today.
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Opened 7 of these, with the majority fresh and bright, loaded with bitter orange rind, almond, and fresh sugar. Beautiful balance - clean, pure, precise. Most scoring around 94 points
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Light orange colour (very light for a 32 years old). High tone Saffron nose, with hints of orange candied fruit, chestnut, honey and some Riesling character. balanced with sugar level hided well. Very nice bottle, just lacks a bit of boost.
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Orange, copper in color, the wine is fully mature. Still you find caramel, butterscotch, roasted pineapple, butter, apricot, macadamia nut and honey aromas. Some of the sweetness is starting to find, so now, the wine is slowly taking on more orange and mango with burnt caramel, instead of ripe tropical fruit. It is time to drink this before the fruit continues fading.
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Delightful nose of burnt sugar and candied orange peel. The palate is sweet and complex but balanced by good acidity. Notes of creme brulee, apricot, orange and honey. A tasty, mature Sauternes.
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From a 375 for about the 6th time over the years. Rieussec had a golden age in the 80s. Huge nose of hazelnut and dark bitter orange marmalade. Rapier like acidity keeps the palate lively and young, yet leaving plummy sweetness. Was lovely in the 90s and is showing almost no signs of age. Only a lack of complexity prevents a higher score. And then a smoky note is left on the glass. Will go on for decades. Must get some more in the forlorn hope I go on as long.
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Popped and poured from half bottle. Pretty consistent with my previous impression.
Rich and hedonistic. Tropical notes of nectar, pineapple, peaches, candied orange, and honey. The finish has a bite and is slightly bitter. Not tired or dull, thanks to the acidity. Delicious and paired lavishly with fruit tart!
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Drank from a half bottle. Double decanted a day before and gave it some time and air in the glass.
Initially came off a bit hot, but it began to drink way better after some persistent swirling. Rich and hedonistic. Tropical notes of nectar, pineapple, peaches, candied orange, and honey. Not tired or dull by any means. Not quite a wine for analysis, but there's a lot of pleasure here.
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4th half bottle from 6 bought a couple of years ago. A repeat of last December's note. Hazelnut and sherry nose. Thick body coats your mouth. Complex bitter orange flavours, plenty of acidity to cut through the sweetness and great length. Well kept bottles will be superb now.
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Jamming with Stu (Dune, Fort Lauderdale): Golden color, great forward nose of peach and sweet flowers, medium-full body, moderately sweet, nice balancing acidity, long finish. Took home the remains and they are as good or better sipping on it the next day as I write my notes from the evening. Drinking very well now. Excellent.
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Gorgeous honeyed peach, lemon and apple nose, with a stunning mid-weight palate dense with ripe fruit but still light and ethereal. Very long finish with a fine tart punctuation of botrytis. Absolutely lovely.
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Dinner with Herwig (Heirloom cafe): Aromatic, peach, quite a fresh nose, orange blossom; palate is medium-full bodied, elegant, lighter bodied than most rieussec, integrated sweetness, medium-plus acidity; long finish. Really lovely Rieussec, showing the elegance of 1988. Still has two decades ahead of it. 94-95
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Stored in a cold cellar since release. Cork very difficult to extract. Perfect condition. Pale. Pronounced botrytis/fruit bouquet. Still young. Medium bodied with lovely flavour. Real depth and persistence. Classic Sauterne and Rieussec. Decades of life left.
3rd half bottle from 6 bought a couple of years ago. Hazelnut and sherry nose. Thick body coats your mouth. Complex bitter orange flavours, plenty of acidity to cut through the sweetness and great length. First time my daughter has liked wine!
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At a great place -- this wine was sumptuous. The color was a soft golden yellow. The nose was full of glycerin and mashed compoted fruits. The palate enveloped your tongue and gave it a caress of dry-sweet semillion with heavily botrytis-ed fruit. Every sip, with some truffled cheese and other double-triple creme cheeses worked beautifully.
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Drinking just like you’d expect a 31yr old Sauternes to be drinking, and maybe even slightly younger. Basically perfect provenance, the color has really darkened over the last 2-3yrs. Amber in the glass and molasses like up front. This checks all the boxes for Classic Sauternes. Honeyed sweet fruits with ripened pineapple, golden peach and nectarine with a touch of savory/nutty notes on the finish. Very lengthy finish with tons of complexity and life left. Wish I had another 1-2 bottles!
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2nd Growth Bordeaux (Boston): Dark amber. Molasses and toffee/caramel up front with excellent underlying acidity. Improved strongly in the glass over first 15-20 mins.
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Not rating this one as it didn't survive time and poor storage. A shame really as reading other notes, it should have been a killer. One of the last from Colins' cellar.
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Drinking very well fresh even from a 375. This was orange marmalade and slightly burnt honey and maybe just a hint of that flavor that is Rieussec that I struggle to put my finger on but there's a touch of an almost medicinal style although not in an offputting way. Enjoyable.
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Utterly fantastic. Had it paired with foie gras pate and as a standalone dessert wine for my birthday. I think my bottle was slightly more advanced, and had the colour of copper, reminding me of a 15YO scotch. On the nose, there was petrol, apple, honey, burnt brown sugar from the creme brulee top. Palate of honey, syrup, and sweet fruits. A long finish of honey, sugar, slight bit of green-ness which I didn't mind. Despite the overwhelming amount of honey notes in the wine, the wine is absolutely firing on all cylinders.
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Just turning the corner to browning color but this is still fresh and young with medium sweetness and very nice Sauternes minerals and character. Lithe and elegant in texture with notes of brown sugar, caramel and buttercrunch on the complex finish. 92+
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Deep gold/amber in color. Soaring aromas of coconut, saffron, vanilla creme brûlée and apricots give way to an sweet, unctuous palate that reveals layers of ripe apricot and tangerine marmalade, coconut, superb acidity, no discernible oak and a very long and honeyed finish. Wow.
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A slow, dark smoke curls through this liquor of grilled and dried apricot marmalade, brown mountain honey, and then royal orange rind and mineral on the pleasantly bitter finish. Intensity and concentration is off the charts, so much so that some guests' conversation turned to how small a sip they could have and still experience the full power.
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Le Lavandou summer 2018: everything under control, lots of botrytis, super balanced, but, and that was my only problem with this wine, no excitement. Too controled?
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First of 6 half bottles bought recently in excellent condition. Dark colour. Initial Sherry nose gives way to marmalade, honey and botrytis. Good body and sweetness with the right level of acidity and a decent length of finish that has a welcome touch of bitterness. Exactly what I’d expect from a 30 year old half bottle of Rieussec.
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PNP, deep amber, apple, orange & honey with a little dryness on the finish, long finish; delicious & a much better bottle than the prior. With the dryness on the finish, I would drink up.
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I think that Sautenes are more delightful young. This was a perfect bottle stored in one place since 1991, so storage was perfect. However, regardless of its golden color and youthful appearance, it was too marmeladed for my liking. Im sure others will like it more...I'd say this is a total DRINK
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From memory from last night's syrah tasting, PNP, classic, mature Sauternes, but a short finish; hopefully, just a slightly off bottle. I will try again soon to check
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Annual Tasting Group Holiday Party (I Nonni, St. Paul, MN): Deep amber color. From 750ml, drank 1 glass over 30 minutes. I can drink this mature elixir all night long. A classic example of aged Sauternes in perfect condition, orange, apricot, candied pineapple, honey, white flowers, botrytis spice, caramelized, honeyed, great texture and good balancing acid.
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brown in colour and very oxidised. Drinkable but definitely past its best. Half bottle and an adyssey of stroage conditions since original in store purchase in 1992 will not have helped!
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Delicious Sauternes; I love the 88s. A fresh fruit nose, pure, precise, penetrating, touch of smoke. Even better on the palate; crystalline purity, ripe and round. Delicious and almost too drinkable! The 88s and 86s are so fresh and wonderful.
Deep red gold. Richly honeyed, smooth and deeply scented. Intense, rich and very smooth. Flavours are honey, honeycomb, ripe tropical fruits, oak spice, all totally integrated. Plenty of acidity give it a crisp finish, balancing the intensity. Not really all that oxidative in character, quite youthful for 29 years.
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29 years old and still going strong. Opened it 2 days ago and had a couple of glasses. Re-corked, refrigerated and just poured. Even better today! Extremely smooth, rich and a long finish. Yes, a bit sweet (almost syrupy) but as an aperitif, this knocked my socks off. The wine looks yellow gold colored...almost burnt orange. The legs are medium. There is no sediment in the bottle.
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Not exactly my style, but had 4 bottles and appreciated them all. Red apple, nectarine, molasses, thick, rich, syrupy sweet. Definitely had life left in it, honestly I could've drunk this in 20 years and I bet it still would've been good. Just a little too sweet and rich and oxidized for my taste, I want more acidity. But that seems to be Rieussec's style so no hating on people who like it.
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Old and New Red Burgundy Dinner (Yan's China Bistro, Walnut Creek, Ca.): I brought this bottle to finish the dinner and encourage some conversation and reflection. Served at room temperature. Nose of white peach, nectarine, slate, shale, honey, and mango, same on the palate, medium/big body, mineral and honey driven taste, not cloying but rich and fruity, elegant, savory, great for sipping and a flavorful finish to the dinner. favorable comments from all and brought up the discussion of the 1975 and 1976 vintages of Chateau Rieussec.
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Tasted after the 1988 Guiraud -- The change in character is obvious. This wine is much sweeter and denser--and less elegant. Although I didn't mention molasses in my last tasting notes for this wine, molasses is the most powerful aroma I discern on this tasting. Lots of dried apricot and ginger on the palate. Even dried raisin. This is unusually ripe and dark tasting.
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Removed from refrigerator prior to serving. Tasted over the course of about three hours.
The nose is sweet botrytised pears and peaches galore. Apricots come into play as well. White pepper and a healthy slug of volatile acidity too. So much honey and yet it was so beautifully balanced.
Great acidity on the palate, and this tasted fully mature. Dried apricot, perfumed white flowers, clover honey, and botrytis on the finish. It seemed to have everything in its correct place.
I can't say for sure whether this will get better or not but it was pretty tasty at 29 years old.
Loved this wine. Honey, apricots and peaches are abound. Still some nice Acidity to add to the well rounded character of this wine. Great with the Xmas pudding, dried fruit on both fronts. Wish I had more. A wonderful Sauternes.
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I love this Sauternes. Okay, I love all Sauternes. But this one especially. It has a peachy, creamy character with gorgeous honey aromas and light botrytis. A core of dried apricot. Acidity is polite and non-aggressive, but there is a plenty of complexity in the array of dried fruits.
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This is fine Sauternes! Honey, peaches and a nice viscous finish even after opening last night. Salmon pink in color, gorgeous nose of fruit and petrol and wishing I had another bottle. I had worried about the color but trust me it is not an issue!
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Wow. Decanted and drank a little cooler than room temperature. It's bouquet of petrol or kerosene just jumped out at you. The color was honey golden and dark yellow or almost copper and you just knew there was a lot going on before the first taste. It did not disappoint with a true explosion of flavors that are too extensive to pinpoint let alone list and a solid yet smooth finish with zero cloy'ness. I've never had a Sauterne this old and feel lucky to have 5 more in the cellar.
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Alarmed by tasting notes and a drinking window from Neal Martin at erobertparker.com I decided to try this with canard à l'orange. The first sniff and the first sip makes it all too clear. This has nothing to do with wathever Martin was tasting in 2007. Honey, peaches, scents of tropical fruits, citrusy nose, a very long and intense taste with stunning clarity and depth. A truly great Sauternes. This bottle would have been great even in 2 or more decades.
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From a half bottle, it has become dark yellow, not a good sign, smells and tastes like a Tokay 5 Puttonyos. Half bottles are probably not as good as 1/1 bottels,you should drink up your half bottles if you have !
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Occasional dinner group; TOP Bordeaux 1988: In the bouquet apricots and orange peel and beautiful sweetness. On the palate apricots, ripe pineapple, some butterscotch and cinnamon. Beautiful balance between acidity and sweetness. Still at its peak and it can last at least until the end of this decade, probably longer.
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Sauternes tasting: One of the darkest wines on the table. A nose of butterscotch, burnt toffee, marmalade on buttered toast and mandarin. In the mouth, viscous and tactile. Tasters noted the obvious evolution of the wine. They reported flavours of burnt caramel, coffee, toffee apple, Rieussec-typical brown sugar, golden syrup and a menthol-like element. Very rich, but quite pure, with good mid palate weight. One taster commented on the good acidity but I found it a little harsh. A good wine but one of the lesser wines here, showing more than typical evolution for its age. N/A = 0 Bronze = 0 Silver = 12 Gold = 10 WOTN = 0
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Absolutely on point. Slight metallic note on opening was gone by the time this was served a few hours later. Rich, mature fruits with layers of apricot, orange, caramel, and botrytis spice. Gorgeous.
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Dinner; 1/18/2015-1/19/2015 (The Palace, Mission, SF): Golden-orange, lighter color than expected for its age; nose has some remarkable complexity with overarching minerality, apricot, marzipan, slight earl grey tea; palate is full bodied and rich but with excellent freshness and acidity, mild fruits throughout well integrated that persist throughout the palate, slight powdered sugar; finish is medium length, orange. Overall this is an excellent top-tier sauternes at an early mature stage but still with many years to go. The strength is definitely the nose with is deep, complex, and has unique character (which sauternes don't often get until they attain 15-20 years or older), and the palate is very balanced and pleasurable but lacks the same complexity. So close to being a 95+ point wine based on the nose, but the palate holds it back to 92-93. Still excellent.
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Really hitting the sweet spot now, perfectly evolved, rich but never cloying, length is top shelf. Can't see it getting much better, but will hold for many years yet.
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always one of the nectars of the the Sauternes worlds - this 88 Ch. Rieussec was golden honey in color, sweet on the nose and the palate with a rounded, honeysuckle finish. Perfection in a glass.
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Brief tasting note. One of my favorite Sauternes houses. This vintage received great accolades and continues to impress. In the past, bottles I have opened have been off or backwards. For a sweet wine, this is full bodied, expressing itself with rich and beautiful vanilla, orange peel, and pineapple. This wine has at least 15 more years on it. 94 points.
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Oro ramato, ha un delizioso e giovanile naso di zafferano, rosa, iodio, albicocca matura, scorza d'arancia candita. In bocca la dolcezza si accompagna a bilanciata acidità che accompagna costantemente il sorso.
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Bottle opened four hours in advance; served slightly chilled. Orange marmalade on the nose; orange marmalade on the palate with undertones of pineapple, vanilla, and guava, with strong acidity and a long finish. Excellent, and a good value at $55 -- I should have bought more.
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from a magnum (didn't know sauternes came in bottles this big) - still very young, true to the terroir and good acidity. Excellent with foie gras and then desserts. In this format, one could keep this for another century at least
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Showing beautifully tonight with a really intense minerality to go along with the ripe fruit flavors of pear, melon and honey with good balancing acidity to keep it fresh. Finishes quite complex with lovely notes of hazelnuts and brown spices. Still young but clearly starting to open up. An excellent vintage for Rieussec.
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Enjoyed a taste of dessert wine poured from a bottle that had been opened for two days. Nose of honey, spring flowers, and minerals, more of the same on the palate, rich, tasty and viscous, medium body, medium/long finish.
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Treating myself with a little Prelude before Xmas. Pretty intense amber color. On the nose there are aged Sauternes notes of apricot, orange zest, vanilla, some honey and a touch of smoke. Full-bodied and dense but never heavy, with still medium acidity holding everything beautifully together. Medium-high sweetness but nicely balanced by the acidity. This is a thick, opulent kind of Rieussec, but with enough freshness. A really nice glass of Sauternes, but probably on its peak and there is no need to keep it much longer.
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Bottle variation was the theme tonight. My first glass came from a bottle with light amber color. Very nice acidity, apricot, very nice finish that paired great with Roasted Pineapple Panna Cotta with Honey Ice Cream. My second glass came from a bottle that was darker gold color. There was less acidity and bolder flavors. I did not enjoy the second glass as much. My rating was for my first glass.
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Raisins in water with touch of prune juice. A little light and nt at all unctuous but lovely orangey marmalade lifting at the finish. Citrusy to a sweet extent. Drink now
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This wine really isn't showing any signs of being near the end of its peak. Paired with a peaches and cream infused Stilton on melba toast, it dominated and not in a bad way. Apricot, peaches and honey were the dominant flavors.
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Opened at the end of a long night at our house with the gang. Fair bit of botrytis character, dried apricots, orange peel, peach pit, ever-changing in the glass, very nicely balanced. This really walked that fine line between luscious fruit and vibrancy; never cloying, and always enticing you to come back for more. This is in no danger of going downhill, but unfortunately this was my last bottle (this was much better than the bottle from a few years ago). Everyone really enjoyed capping off the evening with this beauty.
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1988 Rieussec - Peach, orange rind, and a good depth of honey. Well structured. Medium weight, feels like its in its prime drinking window now. Similar showing from a 750 opened about a month ago. I am pretty sure that I picked up on some acetone aromas that were coming through the nose. No one else seemed to mention this, but I am sensitive to this (and actually don't mind it). Outstanding
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Absolutely lovely. Plenty of depth but refined. Even casual wine-drinkers recognized it as special. Certainly another 5+ years of aging potential. Parker called this "immortal" and wine window to 2035. I understand why he would say that.
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Delicious. Pineapple, apricot, rich cream, and honey. Sweetness and acidity is just right. This is absolutely wonderful. Upset I only bought 2/3 bottles from K&L.
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Opened by BillHike. 2nd time I have had this with similar notes. Last time was in 2006. Fresh tasting but not as spicy and vibrant as I would like a Sauternes. Notes of orange rind and apricot. 92-92 points.
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Dinner with xhoser (Topaz Cafe, Burr Ridge): From memory. Light golden color. Aromas of apricot, marmalade and stone fruit. Rich texture, with nice tropical fruit and baked apricot flavors. Nice finish. Thank you billhike! 92-93 pts.
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I've held these bottles for about 15 years. The wine is still very young. It's a medium yellow with little signes of darkening. It could be a 2007 based on its look. The palate is sweet with nice acidity. Flavors primarily of apricots and pineapple with a bit of caramel. This wine is still not close to maturity and will probably require at least another 5-10 years to attain that level. It'll then hold for at least another 10 years after that.
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From 75cl. Another great 1988, until now my favourite year for Sauternes (although 2001 may win out in a decade's time). Medium-bodied, not too sweet, with intense acidity and a powerful botrytis character. The mid palate is a broad canvas, more mineral-acidic-fungal than specifically fruity in reference (but none the worse for that). This gorgeous wine is the first Sauternes I could seriously imagine pairing savoury dishes at table (pace Chez Panisse menu cookbook and other foodies who suggest matching with fish or salty meat dishes). We were very happy to drink it on its own after dinner, and I personally regretted trying a corner of Roquefort with it - simply too powerful for this delicate, aristocratic masterpiece. Time in hand, perhaps 10 years full-throttle pleasure, thereafter a gentle decline. 92P
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With the typical copper, orange hue that comes with the patina of age to Rieussec, the wine offers caramel, pineapple, peach, candied apple, apricot and orange rind topped with honey. This is close to fully mature. There is no reasons to hold this wine for much longer. Pop it and enjoy.
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Evolving beautifully, this 24 year old is wonderfully balanced and not too sweet or alcoholic as Rieussec can be. It appears to have have many years of life ahead.
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Rupert's Fourrier Offline (The Medlar, London): Mid gold. Quite spicey and a touch arm. More medicinal than sweet. Ripe and quite unctuous. A touch of barley sugar, quite medicinal. For me more interesting than pleasurable. ***1/2
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Unctuous blend of caramel, toffee and hints of peaches. Full, over the top mouth feel that is quite delicious. This was absolutely fantastic and a perfect way to end any meal.
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Very nice, burnt orange, nice mouth feel. Caramel, cream, orange peel, well balanced, but not as deep as d'Yquem and no where near the price either. Good stuff :)
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The Embodiment of Memory (Bob's House - Alexandria, VA): Lovely aromatics of peach, tangerine and pineapple. Had some nice botrytis notes - apricots, caramel, etc. The palate was silky and powerful but the finish was a bit angular and somewhat metallic - came across awkward.
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Amber golden. In the bouquet apricot, honey, a bit cinnamon and candy. On the palate a lot of apricots and ripe pineapple. Beautiful and complex wine, even though I hoped for even a bit more.
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Purchased on release. Golden brown color. Great nose - creamy botrytis caramel and toffee -grilled banana. Great palate also - creamy again. lots of caramel and toffee but the amazing thing is how light it carries itself on the palate - great acid keeps it lively even with the sweetness and caramel flavors. Simply wonderful balance and a beautiful wine. Great showing. Nose: 5/6, Palate: 6/6, Finish: 5/6, Je ne sais quoi (wild card): 2/2 = 18/20 = 96/100.
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Rieussec Vertical (Vini di Domani, Eksel): Finegrained and elegant wine. Good definition and typicité. Not extremely sweet, more like a 'Demi-sec'. Tiny oxidative note on the nose, amaretto too. Atypical and tasty, but not as intriguing and impressive as I thought it would be. 17/20
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Tasted non blind. Opened and served immediately (had to push the extremely dry cork into the bottle and then decant through a filter prior to serving).
Amber color in the glass, clear looking throughout. Nose of lychee, almonds, spice and tropical fruits. Flavors of lychee, simple syrup and nuts. Medium acidity, medium body. Drink or hold. Not rated. This wine underperformed compared to bottle with solid provenance.
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Aroma was pretty strong, with honey and petrol notes. Taste was much smoother than any other stickie I have had, though. I can typically only handle a one pour of sweet wines, but this made me want more.
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Very nice but not spectacular. Mid amber colour with lots of peach in the taste. Slightly mild on the taste so it might be time to drink these up sooner rather than later.
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The Other Great French Blancs: Champagne and Sauternes (Wink Restaurant, Austin, Texas): Enjoyed much more than the 1989 Rieussec drank alongside, it improved after 15 minutes of air. It had a pale gold color and a nose of gunpowder, menthol, some fresh plastic, sautéed pineapple, honeysuckle, and some acetone. With medium-high acidity, it had some metallic notes that eventually fell off and was lush with good structure. Tasters found notes of marmalade, brown sugar, honeycomb, toffee, caramel, lemon, raisin, grilled apricot, smoke, and pine cones. Its finish was light, and some found the wine disjointed, slightly bitter and green, without the depth of some of the other Sauternes. The 88 Climens and 88 La Tour Blanche in the next flight were much better.
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CellarTracker Texas Offline II - Part One (oskiwawa's house in McKinney, Texas): Tasted non blind. Opened and served immediately. Yellow color in the glass, clear looking throughout. Nose of lilikoi and soaked pears. Flavors of yellow pears, a little honey and light notes of lemon. Medium acidity, medium body. Drink or hold. Withholding a rating because this bottle was a little off compared to previous bottles.
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just a tad of sweetness mixed with lemon and acidity to balance out the apple tartin and creme fraiche...perfect, and no decanting required...the nose evinced peaches and honey and the color was a deep copper
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The Greatest Pig Roast Ever?? (Chicagoland): From 750ml. Golden yellow color. Much more depth on the nose than the 88 Climens served alongside. Baked apricot, peach, with a good dose of vanilla and honey. Lush and expansive on the palate. The same roasted/baked fruits and vanilla notes. Lots of body to the wine and nice acidity. Long lingering finish.
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Had this on Mother's Day and forgot to note it. Deep gold, starting towards amber. A very nice Sauternes, decent balance, but seemed to lack depth or complexity -- rather straightforward.
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Last wine of the night and in excellent form! This was drinking well with everything in balance. Nice botrytis nose with peaches, honeyed nuts and a good dose of bright citrusy notes. This was lively and young with fantastic depth and richness on the palate. Round mouth full of flavors - apricots, dried pineapple, honeyed sweetness - this was firing on all cylinders. Nice depth and great acidity. Mouth-coating, but not at all cloying. Very nice and an excellent experience to cap a wonderful night!
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golden colour but very bright, lovely sweet , good botrytis, not overly flamboyant for Riussec, sweet barley sugar , strong acidity,mature but lively, lastee several days without deterioration. Very good wine.
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Last up was a 1988 Rieussec Sauternes, that while it paired well with the poached pears, did not do much for me. Slightly on the simple side, and missing some of the acidity and extra botrytis I look for in a really energetic Sauternes, this just could not compete with the Italian fireworks tasted before.
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A nose redolent of peaches, molasses, and a touch of lemon/acidity served as the prelude to a beautifully balanced wine, with honey, molasses, and tart grapefruit on the tongue and just the right amount of alcohol. The wine went perfectly with homemade pecan pie.
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As with the prior bottles, this sauternes doesn't disappoint. A nose of peaches and honey leads to a balanced taste of apricots channelled with a lively acidity/astringency.
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I found this bottle frankly disapointing. There was too much alcohol and a metallic taste. Too lean, not much botrytis in evidence. Perhaps just an off bottle. Others liked it better.
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difficult not to judge this wine against the 2001 in my mind, and this comes up short. it's a wine of medium acid, and nicely balanced fruit, but it doesn't have the richly textured mouthfeel or sub-structure ( i call it, oomph) i crave. 88 sauternes, for me in general, have not really captured my attention when you consider the reputation of the vintage. certainly a nice wine, but hardly a blockbuster.
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This was a well-aged Sauternes that was in good shape. the color was deep gold, the fruits had all matured to rich, dry flavor and much of the ultra-sweetness had dried out. It was a pleasure to drink with a rich dessert. I would have also liked to try it with pate' or cheese.
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Last evening finishing the X-mas dinner. Combined with a fress orange jelly pudding it is a very good wine, although not spectacular. The wine has a good balance and lots of botrytis that keeps this Rieussec from being clumsy. A very good aftertaste, but as I said, this bottle was not spectacular but absolutely very enjoyable.
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Served at room temperature to start -- A pale copper or dirty gold color. Raisins, brandy, molasses, vanilla, and faint cinnamon on the nose. Tastes of strawberry, with some astringency...somewhat medicinal. After refrigerating overnight -- better, less medicinal, more peaches & honey on the tongue & nose.
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Golden. Lots of caramel and floral notes. Some of the sweetness has aged away and left a very nice dessert wine. A decent finish. Have had better 88s recently like Guiraud.
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Much more youthful looking than the '90; has a kernelly, lanolin, powerful; this is a fresh, leaner, more stylish, tremendous balance. Lingering finish. Has a odd twang at end, not in pristine condition. A bottle in good nick will age afurther 15+ years. 16
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Drank over 2 nights. On the first night, the nose betrayed brandy or cognac (but with a little less alcohol), and we tasted faint hints of apricots, peaches, and honey. On the second night, the cognac had dissippated to reveal a rich nose of molasses and stewed peaches, the precursor to a substantial mouth-feel of honey and overripe banana. Do not be afraid to leave out a 3rd night, as I suspect it would get even better.
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Possible cork problem. Rich complex nose - banana, medicine, orange, flowers. Much less citrus than vsv, not very acidic. Subtle. Apples, apricot. Medium body, medium sweetness. Lots of cookie/biscotti/bread, but not over the hill. At peak or slightly past. Silky. $130
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A balanced mix of smells -- stewed peaches, raisins, honey, and apricots with a little bit of wax, the way a Sauternes should smell. On the tongue, we tasted sticky honey, with some syrup and some lemon...matched perfectly to vanilla ice cream and peanut butter/fudge cookie we had for dessert.
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80s Bordeaux Birthday dinner (Cotes Du Rhone Bistro(Chicago, IL)): nose: wonderful aged botrytis filled nose of honey, pear, apricots, and some nectarine flavors. There is also something going on with this nose that I just can't put my finger on, but lordy do I want to keep on smelling
taste: great honeyed apricot tones with pear and melon notes working in great balance. utterly beautiful and gorgeous feel
overall: this turned into an "aha" moment as this was my first time with a truly aged sauternes. Just wonderful balance and length that is just so succulent and enjoyable
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1988 Sauternes Horizontal (Alameda): Nice tropical nose, WOTN. 3rd night, honey nose, color of scotch whiskey, moving towards amber. Heavy and tastes of clover honey, a little bitter, a little heat. Some Almond and caramel, nice finish. 4th night, still going strong.
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Great bottle in comparison to other aged sauternes. Nice amber color, smooth, shorter finish than the 86 Reussec that I tasted earlier, not as sweet either.This wine was a wonderfull liquid desert.
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David's 50th (Canberra, Australia): Dark golden colour, darker than the '83 I opened a couple of weekends afterward. Rich nose of caramel, spice, apple and coconut. Medium level of sweetness on the palate with a core of acid that is only just enough to keep the focus. I enjoyed drinking it and thought it quite tasty, if slightly simple.
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Nice balance of the powerful Rieussec style reigned in a bit by the acidity and structure of the '88 vintage. Completely ready now, but it should be very long-lived.
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New Years Eve Dinner (The Platnick's --- Evanston, IL): Dark bronze in color. Earthy notes underly the boytris, honey, creme brulee and orange fruits. Heavy in body. Side-by-side, appeared and tasted older than an 88 Lafaurie-Peyraguey.
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Chateau Rieussec vertical (Bentley Hotel, London): Browning (though nowhere near as deep as the 1990), again rather simple brown sugar flavours on the palate, but big and long. [Have since checked this against one of my own bottles which was a healthy bright gold, not brown at all, indicating that that this was a sub-standard bottle]
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We ordered this off of the Courtright wine list for $120.00. Not in the same class as the 2001 Rieussec which was poured next to it. Still outstanding though. Notes of dried apricots and pineapple. Smoother than the 2001 but lacking in intensity. 92-93 points.
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Purchased off the wine list for the Courtright Dinner. To me this wine was better on its own rather than paired with the desserts. We had this side by side with the '01, which clearly was better when with the food. Viscous notes of lemon and other citrus. Delicious. The score here is averaged: 94 pts. without food and 92 pts. with food. Strange.
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Deep yellow, not quite gold in color. Nutty nose, mild botrytis. Sweet nutty palate with a hint of bitter at the end. A very nice sauternes, but I think this one was actually harmed by its age- the nutty quality turned a little bitter. I think this paled somewhat compared to the 2001.
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Had as part of a birthday dinner with friends. Had alongside a 79 Climens. Popped and poured from 375. This is still a young pup, showing a golden color, nose of boytritis and apricot. Mouthfeel is fantastic, and a long finish to complete the experience.
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Dinner at Vinci (Vinci - Chicago, IL): Aromatic with orange, honey and boytris notes. The soft, ripe fruits show restraint and maturity. Elegant textrue glides across the palate. Long finish. Wonderful sticky that's in a great place.
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Typical plush and lush Rieussec. The acidic character of 1988 vintage serves well to keep this one from going over the top. Probably as good as it will get.
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Nice. A little less sweet and less botrytis than I normally like. Perhaps younger would have been better here? Surprisingly a touch hot on the palate, too.
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This is my first sample of this wine (in 375s) I purchased on release. The usual Rieussec lush boisterous honey bomb is reined in a bit by the slightly austere '88 vintage character. Still, plenty of cream, apricot and walnut to make a great foil for the key lime pie we had for dessert with the Cataldos at Marks Mizner Park. This should age nicely.
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Very nice bottle of Sauternes. A little too heavy for my taste with not enough terroir and acidity. Long aftertaste that has the apricot lingering on your tongue for a long long time. Maybe give it some more time would be good.
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This wine is far from settled down - still extremely young and alcoholic. Some air allows for generous aroms of honey, melons, and ripe citrus. Mouth is full and sweet, but a little too hot. Finish is probably over a minute.
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Consumed from a standard (750 cc) bottle at the Roche Cayucos home. Bottle provided by Amy Weinberg. Bright disc. Medium gold robe with clear rim. Clean nose, showing explosive aromas of apricots, peaches, pears, vanilla, honey and oak. Full-bodied on the palate, with medium acidity, a creamy mouth texture and flavors which mirror the nose. Long, smooth finish.
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First Tuesday Wine Group Annual Dinner. Powerful and dense, but perfectly balanced. Beautiful nose, with loads of honey and orange. Great mouthfeel, and extremely long. This should last a long time.
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Enjoyed this bottle and a 1976 for dessert with peach cobbler, nose of honey, caramel, orange, and peach, medium/big body, lovely to sip and savor, elegant, and a long finish, liked the 1976 better.
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7 Vintages of Chateau Rieussec. (Walnut Creek, Ca.): Nose of lovely, rich citrus, opened slowly to honey and heat, on the palate, medium/big body, lovely, rich taste, very mouth filling, very subtle, complex, and elegant, needs 15 years to peak, and a long, long, long finish. My #1 of 7.
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Christie's Pre-Sale Tasting (Amsterdam): Bright yellow gold; wonderful young Sémillon nose with lovely new oak; good weight, lovely herbaceous touch. Now - 2020.
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4/6/2024 - WST Likes this wine:
Charity Wine Pairings for Hospice House Auction winners; 4/6/2024-4/7/2024 (Bellingham): I opened this as it was the anniversary year for two of our guests. From a half bottle, paired with mousse of foie gras. Fairly dark in color. Very rich, dominated by the botrytis character. It doesn't have the energy or complexity of the '89s or '01s, but it was solid and delicious.
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10/28/2023 - Border Boss Likes this wine: 94 Points
Double decanted because some cork bits ended up in the wine. A really wonderful Sauternes. Medium golden color. Moderate sweetness with an equally moderate acid backbone that put it all into balance. The wine paired equally well with foie gras and also with sweetbreads, but also paired well with a chestnut tart at dessert. Only one bottle left, but I must find more.
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8/23/2023 - Quiller wrote: 92 Points
Copper color in the bottle, but more golden in the glass. Somewhat muted tropical fruit; nice balance, particularly the acidity; not cloying; sweet, but not as sweet as many other sauternes tasted. Seems almost fresh and young. After some time in the glass the flavors developed a bit more, but still not as pronounced as I expected. At age 35 it could have been oxidized, burnt caramel, out-of-balance - but was not, and I'm grateful for that. Still, very nice, but hoped for more.
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4/23/2023 - toppcats@aol.com Likes this wine: 94 Points
Surprised a bit at how well this wine has held up. Color had shifted to a dark amber (my D'Yquem of similar age remains straw colored. Rich nose of honey and tropical fruit. Sweet but not cloying with pineapple, marzipan, caramel, and honeyed notes. Good acidity and length of finish. Highly enjoyable Sauterne which appears to still have a long life ahead!
Addendum - Review of the Chateau website notes that the noted color change is 'usual' for this Sauterne
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4/16/2023 - tadams66 Likes this wine: 91 Points
It was a wonderful wine with nice tropical fruits with pineapple. Medium finish. It was not very thick but had an integrated sweetness that revealed layers of flavor. Did well for 35 years.
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2/18/2023 - Jonathan T Likes this wine: 95 Points
Outstanding. Does not have the energy and mouth-watering acidity that the best Yquem vintages have, but this was absolutely delightful. This has aged extremely well over 35 years and is certainly showing all the hallmarks of beautifully aged Sauternes such as rich dried apricots, orange marmalade and raw honey. The dark amber color is gorgeous.
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2/18/2023 - M.Batard wrote: 91 Points
Once again, paired with apple crumble, and it seemed even better pairing than last time
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2/12/2023 - rnellans wrote: 94 Points
Amber golden. Sweet but not cloying. Apricot marmalade, crème brulee. Delish. 94
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2/11/2023 - rnellans wrote: 94 Points
Golden beautiful nose. Balanced love it
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2/4/2023 - fcxj wrote: flawed
Corked.
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12/25/2022 - A.Hansen Likes this wine: 92 Points
Another delightful bottle of this. Notes of grand marnier, candied orange peel, burnt sugar and manuka honey. Great concentration. Slightly cloying.
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11/24/2022 - M.Batard wrote: 90 Points
Orange/gold color. Pleasant and correct, but it noticeably complex. Paired with apple crumble with Cointreau-laced whipped cream, which might have been magical, given others’ mentions of orange/apricot marmalade…
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9/3/2022 - Cailles wrote: 92 Points
No notes taken. This showed well matured with burnt sugar, honey, waxy notes and a touch of saffron. Quite good tension and acidity backbone to keep it fairly light and prevent a cloying appearance. A good wine and vintage of Rieussec but nothing exceptional missing that extra complexity, precision and lightness for a higher rating. We had this side by side with the Yquem 1996 and despite being from a weaker Sauternes vintage, the Yquem easily eclipsed the Rieussec with a much finer frame, better acidity backbone, much more tension as well as higher precision. 92/93 pts.
Decanting: I would decant this an hour or two.
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9/2/2022 - sirpat00 wrote: 94 Points
Tasted at Le Clarence in Paris. Amber color. Candid fig, plum and raisins, fine layers of saffron and spice. Nicely creamy texture with an amazing structure and structural acidity. A great aged Sauternes, but lacks the layers, precision and weightlessness of the best in class (which is basically always Yquem).
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8/24/2022 - devraj Likes this wine: 94 Points
Orange/gold in color. Soaring aromas of tangerines, apricots, saffron, vanilla creme brûlée and dried honey. Rich and unctuous palate reveals sweet tangerine/apricot marmalade, medium acidity and a very long honeyed and spice inflected finish. This is drinking great.
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6/26/2022 - jlgnml wrote: 92 Points
Super smooth and a delight to drink over 3 weeks with a Coravin.
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6/26/2022 - Amberissey Likes this wine: 94 Points
Light toffee, white flowers, root ginger and minerality on the nose. No indication of its 34 years at initial smell. My first sip was tiny and it was like fireworks in my mouth. Amazing viscosity with flavours of flower honey, vanilla, cream, pineapple tarte tatin, more root ginger, white pepper, ripe orange, so much going on. Extraordinary length. You keep salivating long after swallowing. Great structure. Based on this bottle it will last a century or more. I’ve had Sauternes from the 2000s that present as older, of course from halves though. This is like a gymnast, like Max Whitlock on the pommel horse or rings, huge power but magnificently graceful. It has the waxy, weighty semillon quality. With air some marmalade. It’s beautiful.
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6/26/2022 - paintinginacave Likes this wine: 94 Points
Opened seven hours prior to drinking and drank over two hours. Deep gold in the glass. Exceptionally youthful with a spiced component of ginger, saffron, and fenugreek. Caramelised, slightly burnt sugar, vanilla Chantilly, and a fragrant burst of orange blossom and mandarin oil provide additional nuances. The density and concentration is a an absolute joy yet what impresses most is the elegance and restraint on show. Luscious and textured. Outstanding.
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5/24/2022 - jlgnml Likes this wine: 92 Points
Coravin. Very floral, fruit base wine. Lovely, youthful color. A bit flat and tart on the Finnish. Once in the glass, 30 min. Much better after finish. Needs a decant and will finish another day.
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2/12/2022 - Wine MOB Likes this wine: 89 Points
Out of a 375…this is not kicking my ass. Crème brûlée without the fruit. It has all the right flavors but does not have the richness vanilla custard, orange peel, cinnamon, coffee, dried apricot, and white flowers. Very aromatic, but lacks the mouth.
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12/20/2021 - CellarBord Likes this wine: 91 Points
I love aged sauternes. Paired well with Winter Pear Tartin, candied orange, Creme Chantilly.
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12/12/2021 - rocknroller wrote: 94 Points
Annual Tasting Group Holiday Party (St. Genevieve, Mpls, MN): Deep gold color. Small glass. I've always loved the '88 Rieussec. Here's another great bottle not long after the last one. This has excellent cut and balance, nicely mature yet retaining the vibrancy I want in my older Sauternes. Love the spice fruit mix with orange marmalade and peach and honeyed creme brulee.
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10/22/2021 - galewskj wrote: 94 Points
A stacked cabernet lineup (James and Carrie's house): Rieussec did a lot better in 1988 than Suduiraut did. This sauternes has mellowed with age, become extremely complex, shed some sweetness. Fabulous mature sauternes.
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10/22/2021 - JCGuthrie wrote:
Same bottle as Rocknroller and I'd Rather Be Drinking Wine. Didn't take notes on this bottle but agree wholeheartedly with their assessment. This was in such a nice place, not too sweet, with great balance between orange marmalade flavors and acid.
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10/22/2021 - I'd Rather Be Drinking Wine Likes this wine: 94 Points
Outstanding Old World Napa Cabs: PnP - Love Sauternes in general, but it is a nice treat to drink a nice, aged one from a stellar vintage. 1988-89-90 was the original trio of stellar vintages in Sauternes, and this wine lived up to the reputation! I find Rieussec one of the most consistent wines in Sauternes and, along with Climens, rate it just below Yquem. This wine showed plenty of honeyed stone fruits on the nose with lots of honeysuckle and burnt orange. The palate was bursting with apricot, peaches, orange rind and pot de creme, with some vanilla and spice. A great way to end our tasting! (It went superbly with the berry cake served with it!) 93-94 points.
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10/22/2021 - rocknroller wrote: 94 Points
Old OG Napa Cabs (James & Carrie's, Northern Burbs, Mpls): Medium dark gold color, fairly light for the age. PNP, drank a glass over 30 minutes. Just lovely, with white flowers, creme brulee, orange marmalade, honey, fresh cut peach, pitch perfect spice, medium bodied and sublimely balanced. Gracefully delicious and aging beautifully.
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9/26/2021 - Outplaying Likes this wine:
Very nice aged Sauternes. It has great acidity which really helps with the balance.
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7/24/2021 - David J Cooper wrote: 92 Points
Dark amber. Rich dried apricot and menthol nose, lots of spice, honey and saffron as well. Rich sweet caramel and baked fruit flavours and a long rich exotic finish.
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7/24/2021 - Rbhan12 wrote: 92 Points
Extremely rich palate, nose was comparatively subdued. Finish had some funky nutty flavor that eventually blew off after an hour. Could be worth decanting or pulling the cork an hour or two before.
Will pick up another bottle.
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7/23/2021 - ohne_musik wrote: 94 Points
Berserker Offline (Mathilde Bistro - SF): Wonderful concentration and cut, and on the drier side for Rieussec (or the sugar has “melted away”). Lightly evolved and complex nose – toffee almond, peach, Seville orange marmalade, and a bit of burnt caramel. Palate is fairly rich, layered with tropical fruit, almond-marzipan, ripe apricots and medium botrytis, but offset by bracing acid and cocktail bitters.
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7/19/2021 - Ex-Ray Likes this wine: 97 Points
A 375 ml bottle, bought on release in 1991. Dark golden. Very sweet and pronounced floral aromas of peaches, apricots and honey. Very viscous similar flavors, very rich and concentrated, nicely balanced with acidity so not cloying. The taste goes on and on as it coats the palate. We drank half, then forgot about it for about three months in the refrigerator. It was just as great as when first opened! This has been our consistent experience with great Sauternes. This can probably keep going for years! Still have 11 in the cellar but no rush to drink them.
Ric
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7/11/2021 - Rollerball wrote: 95 Points
Becoming quite dark and golden. The bouquet made our hearts race with its living, kaleidoscopic pineapple, burnt caramel, french herbs, and orange peel. On the palate great poise and tension between the still-electric fruit and the perfect viscosity, with lovely presence and a firey spicy note, revealing secret after bitter-sweet secret as it slowly fades. Throughout a week in the fridge this became simpler and a tad tired. While this probably has more years of interesting evolution, it's hard to recommend anything other than drinking at current peak.
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5/23/2021 - Burglover13 wrote: 90 Points
Gorgeous amber color. More developed than the same vintage of Climens I have in the cellar. Lovely nose but somewhat muted in taste. I prefer my Sauternes with a punchier acidity, which has somewhat faded here. Drink up!
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5/8/2021 - gabird wrote: 94 Points
- A Long finish - Soft and sweet with a honey, almond, and tropical fruit blend. It has a beautiful orange color which makes the glass a fanciful view. Definitely still in its prime but I wouldnt wait on this one.
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2/7/2021 - englishman's claret wrote: 96 Points
Of 7 bottles opened, there was one outlier - not at all different in its gorgeous expression of pure bitter orange and almond, but augmented by a fine bergamot note and mineral. Superb, complete, and with lots of life ahead though arguably in the perfect spot today.
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2/7/2021 - englishman's claret wrote: 94 Points
Opened 7 of these, with the majority fresh and bright, loaded with bitter orange rind, almond, and fresh sugar. Beautiful balance - clean, pure, precise. Most scoring around 94 points
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2/3/2021 - fabio.foppoli Likes this wine: 92 Points
Light orange colour (very light for a 32 years old). High tone Saffron nose, with hints of orange candied fruit, chestnut, honey and some Riesling character. balanced with sugar level hided well. Very nice bottle, just lacks a bit of boost.
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12/22/2020 - Jeff Leve wrote: 92 Points
Orange, copper in color, the wine is fully mature. Still you find caramel, butterscotch, roasted pineapple, butter, apricot, macadamia nut and honey aromas. Some of the sweetness is starting to find, so now, the wine is slowly taking on more orange and mango with burnt caramel, instead of ripe tropical fruit. It is time to drink this before the fruit continues fading.
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12/11/2020 - A.Hansen Likes this wine: 93 Points
Delightful nose of burnt sugar and candied orange peel. The palate is sweet and complex but balanced by good acidity. Notes of creme brulee, apricot, orange and honey. A tasty, mature Sauternes.
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10/25/2020 - wineforth Likes this wine: 95 Points
From a 375 for about the 6th time over the years. Rieussec had a golden age in the 80s. Huge nose of hazelnut and dark bitter orange marmalade. Rapier like acidity keeps the palate lively and young, yet leaving plummy sweetness. Was lovely in the 90s and is showing almost no signs of age. Only a lack of complexity prevents a higher score. And then a smoky note is left on the glass. Will go on for decades. Must get some more in the forlorn hope I go on as long.
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9/12/2020 - Satoshi Nakamoto Likes this wine: 93 Points
Popped and poured from half bottle. Pretty consistent with my previous impression.
Rich and hedonistic. Tropical notes of nectar, pineapple, peaches, candied orange, and honey. The finish has a bite and is slightly bitter. Not tired or dull, thanks to the acidity. Delicious and paired lavishly with fruit tart!
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8/1/2020 - Satoshi Nakamoto wrote: 93 Points
Drank from a half bottle. Double decanted a day before and gave it some time and air in the glass.
Initially came off a bit hot, but it began to drink way better after some persistent swirling. Rich and hedonistic. Tropical notes of nectar, pineapple, peaches, candied orange, and honey. Not tired or dull by any means. Not quite a wine for analysis, but there's a lot of pleasure here.
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3/26/2020 - wineforth Likes this wine: 94 Points
4th half bottle from 6 bought a couple of years ago. A repeat of last December's note. Hazelnut and sherry nose. Thick body coats your mouth. Complex bitter orange flavours, plenty of acidity to cut through the sweetness and great length. Well kept bottles will be superb now.
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2/15/2020 - dbg wrote:
Jamming with Stu (Dune, Fort Lauderdale): Golden color, great forward nose of peach and sweet flowers, medium-full body, moderately sweet, nice balancing acidity, long finish. Took home the remains and they are as good or better sipping on it the next day as I write my notes from the evening. Drinking very well now. Excellent.
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1/14/2020 - Richard P Howden Likes this wine: 94 Points
Gorgeous honeyed peach, lemon and apple nose, with a stunning mid-weight palate dense with ripe fruit but still light and ethereal. Very long finish with a fine tart punctuation of botrytis. Absolutely lovely.
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1/14/2020 - aagrawal wrote: 94 Points
Dinner with Herwig (Heirloom cafe): Aromatic, peach, quite a fresh nose, orange blossom; palate is medium-full bodied, elegant, lighter bodied than most rieussec, integrated sweetness, medium-plus acidity; long finish. Really lovely Rieussec, showing the elegance of 1988. Still has two decades ahead of it. 94-95
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1/6/2020 - Thoughtful Likes this wine: 95 Points
Stored in a cold cellar since release. Cork very difficult to extract. Perfect condition. Pale. Pronounced botrytis/fruit bouquet. Still young. Medium bodied with lovely flavour. Real depth and persistence. Classic Sauterne and Rieussec. Decades of life left.
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12/27/2019 - wineforth Likes this wine: 94 Points
3rd half bottle from 6 bought a couple of years ago. Hazelnut and sherry nose. Thick body coats your mouth. Complex bitter orange flavours, plenty of acidity to cut through the sweetness and great length. First time my daughter has liked wine!
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8/26/2019 - JWG wrote: 97 Points
At a great place -- this wine was sumptuous. The color was a soft golden yellow. The nose was full of glycerin and mashed compoted fruits. The palate enveloped your tongue and gave it a caress of dry-sweet semillion with heavily botrytis-ed fruit. Every sip, with some truffled cheese and other double-triple creme cheeses worked beautifully.
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4/17/2019 - Shay.Aldriedge Likes this wine: 94 Points
Drinking just like you’d expect a 31yr old Sauternes to be drinking, and maybe even slightly younger. Basically perfect provenance, the color has really darkened over the last 2-3yrs. Amber in the glass and molasses like up front. This checks all the boxes for Classic Sauternes. Honeyed sweet fruits with ripened pineapple, golden peach and nectarine with a touch of savory/nutty notes on the finish. Very lengthy finish with tons of complexity and life left. Wish I had another 1-2 bottles!
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2/21/2019 - mattiasjansson wrote: 94 Points
2nd Growth Bordeaux (Boston): Dark amber. Molasses and toffee/caramel up front with excellent underlying acidity. Improved strongly in the glass over first 15-20 mins.
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1/12/2019 - winewitch59 wrote:
Not rating this one as it didn't survive time and poor storage. A shame really as reading other notes, it should have been a killer. One of the last from Colins' cellar.
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12/19/2018 - CellarBord Likes this wine:
I like the way age has lightened the sweetness while adding character. Paired well with Pear clafoutis. Drink up remaining bottles soon.
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12/18/2018 - MC2 Wines Likes this wine:
Drinking very well fresh even from a 375. This was orange marmalade and slightly burnt honey and maybe just a hint of that flavor that is Rieussec that I struggle to put my finger on but there's a touch of an almost medicinal style although not in an offputting way. Enjoyable.
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12/2/2018 - peternelson wrote: 93 Points
Stunner, in great shape, rich apricot, good concentration, still with some lift, long. Edged out the '88 Rabaud Promis. EWG 10 years on dinner.
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10/22/2018 - vertigo88 wrote: 96 Points
Utterly fantastic. Had it paired with foie gras pate and as a standalone dessert wine for my birthday. I think my bottle was slightly more advanced, and had the colour of copper, reminding me of a 15YO scotch. On the nose, there was petrol, apple, honey, burnt brown sugar from the creme brulee top. Palate of honey, syrup, and sweet fruits. A long finish of honey, sugar, slight bit of green-ness which I didn't mind. Despite the overwhelming amount of honey notes in the wine, the wine is absolutely firing on all cylinders.
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10/9/2018 - dream Likes this wine: 92 Points
Just turning the corner to browning color but this is still fresh and young with medium sweetness and very nice Sauternes minerals and character. Lithe and elegant in texture with notes of brown sugar, caramel and buttercrunch on the complex finish. 92+
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9/10/2018 - devraj Likes this wine: 94 Points
Deep gold/amber in color. Soaring aromas of coconut, saffron, vanilla creme brûlée and apricots give way to an sweet, unctuous palate that reveals layers of ripe apricot and tangerine marmalade, coconut, superb acidity, no discernible oak and a very long and honeyed finish. Wow.
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9/2/2018 - Rollerball wrote: 95 Points
A slow, dark smoke curls through this liquor of grilled and dried apricot marmalade, brown mountain honey, and then royal orange rind and mineral on the pleasantly bitter finish. Intensity and concentration is off the charts, so much so that some guests' conversation turned to how small a sip they could have and still experience the full power.
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7/24/2018 - FransS wrote: 94 Points
Le Lavandou summer 2018: everything under control, lots of botrytis, super balanced, but, and that was my only problem with this wine, no excitement. Too controled?
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6/22/2018 - wineforth Likes this wine: 92 Points
First of 6 half bottles bought recently in excellent condition. Dark colour. Initial Sherry nose gives way to marmalade, honey and botrytis. Good body and sweetness with the right level of acidity and a decent length of finish that has a welcome touch of bitterness. Exactly what I’d expect from a 30 year old half bottle of Rieussec.
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4/15/2018 - jsmorris707 Likes this wine: 93 Points
PNP, deep amber, apple, orange & honey with a little dryness on the finish, long finish; delicious & a much better bottle than the prior. With the dryness on the finish, I would drink up.
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4/8/2018 - Collector1855 wrote: 91 Points
Amber. Nose of autumn leaves, chestnuts, quince. Decent but a bit tired with an oxidative touch. Lacks energy for a great name like Rieussec.
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1/28/2018 - Purple Tooth wrote: 90 Points
I think that Sautenes are more delightful young. This was a perfect bottle stored in one place since 1991, so storage was perfect. However, regardless of its golden color and youthful appearance, it was too marmeladed for my liking. Im sure others will like it more...I'd say this is a total DRINK
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12/31/2017 - jsmorris707 Likes this wine: 90 Points
From memory from last night's syrah tasting, PNP, classic, mature Sauternes, but a short finish; hopefully, just a slightly off bottle. I will try again soon to check
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12/17/2017 - rocknroller wrote: 94 Points
Annual Tasting Group Holiday Party (I Nonni, St. Paul, MN): Deep amber color. From 750ml, drank 1 glass over 30 minutes. I can drink this mature elixir all night long. A classic example of aged Sauternes in perfect condition, orange, apricot, candied pineapple, honey, white flowers, botrytis spice, caramelized, honeyed, great texture and good balancing acid.
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12/16/2017 - TheGreenFrog wrote: flawed
brown in colour and very oxidised. Drinkable but definitely past its best. Half bottle and an adyssey of stroage conditions since original in store purchase in 1992 will not have helped!
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12/3/2017 - englishman's claret wrote: 93 Points
Delicious Sauternes; I love the 88s. A fresh fruit nose, pure, precise, penetrating, touch of smoke. Even better on the palate; crystalline purity, ripe and round. Delicious and almost too drinkable! The 88s and 86s are so fresh and wonderful.
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11/11/2017 - Vini Ciclismo Likes this wine: 94 Points
Deep red gold.
Richly honeyed, smooth and deeply scented.
Intense, rich and very smooth. Flavours are honey, honeycomb, ripe tropical fruits, oak spice, all totally integrated. Plenty of acidity give it a crisp finish, balancing the intensity. Not really all that oxidative in character, quite youthful for 29 years.
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10/12/2017 - HamishR wrote: 94 Points
Superb, golden colour, clean stonefruit peachy nose, honeyed, balanced and long finish.
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9/18/2017 - Lockareff Likes this wine: 95 Points
29 years old and still going strong. Opened it 2 days ago and had a couple of glasses. Re-corked, refrigerated and just poured. Even better today! Extremely smooth, rich and a long finish. Yes, a bit sweet (almost syrupy) but as an aperitif, this knocked my socks off. The wine looks yellow gold colored...almost burnt orange. The legs are medium. There is no sediment in the bottle.
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7/7/2017 - redpine42 wrote: 92 Points
Good but not great. Sweet with nice vicosity.
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5/18/2017 - millennialwinegeek Likes this wine: 93 Points
Not exactly my style, but had 4 bottles and appreciated them all. Red apple, nectarine, molasses, thick, rich, syrupy sweet. Definitely had life left in it, honestly I could've drunk this in 20 years and I bet it still would've been good. Just a little too sweet and rich and oxidized for my taste, I want more acidity. But that seems to be Rieussec's style so no hating on people who like it.
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2/8/2017 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 95 Points
Old and New Red Burgundy Dinner (Yan's China Bistro, Walnut Creek, Ca.): I brought this bottle to finish the dinner and encourage some conversation and reflection. Served at room temperature. Nose of white peach, nectarine, slate, shale, honey, and mango, same on the palate, medium/big body, mineral and honey driven taste, not cloying but rich and fruity, elegant, savory, great for sipping and a flavorful finish to the dinner. favorable comments from all and brought up the discussion of the 1975 and 1976 vintages of Chateau Rieussec.
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1/17/2017 - rmalloy Likes this wine: 90 Points
Tasted after the 1988 Guiraud -- The change in character is obvious. This wine is much sweeter and denser--and less elegant. Although I didn't mention molasses in my last tasting notes for this wine, molasses is the most powerful aroma I discern on this tasting. Lots of dried apricot and ginger on the palate. Even dried raisin. This is unusually ripe and dark tasting.
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12/31/2016 - ucbeau Likes this wine:
Removed from refrigerator prior to serving. Tasted over the course of about three hours.
The nose is sweet botrytised pears and peaches galore. Apricots come into play as well. White pepper and a healthy slug of volatile acidity too. So much honey and yet it was so beautifully balanced.
Great acidity on the palate, and this tasted fully mature. Dried apricot, perfumed white flowers, clover honey, and botrytis on the finish. It seemed to have everything in its correct place.
I can't say for sure whether this will get better or not but it was pretty tasty at 29 years old.
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12/25/2016 - TheWineyChef Likes this wine: 95 Points
Loved this wine. Honey, apricots and peaches are abound. Still some nice Acidity to add to the well rounded character of this wine. Great with the Xmas pudding, dried fruit on both fronts. Wish I had more. A wonderful Sauternes.
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12/13/2016 - nittanyjack Likes this wine:
Delicious and in the zone!
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11/12/2016 - rmalloy Likes this wine: 93 Points
I love this Sauternes. Okay, I love all Sauternes. But this one especially. It has a peachy, creamy character with gorgeous honey aromas and light botrytis. A core of dried apricot. Acidity is polite and non-aggressive, but there is a plenty of complexity in the array of dried fruits.
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10/17/2016 - ElAzul Likes this wine: 94 Points
This is fine Sauternes! Honey, peaches and a nice viscous finish even after opening last night. Salmon pink in color, gorgeous nose of fruit and petrol and wishing I had another bottle. I had worried about the color but trust me it is not an issue!
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7/17/2016 - AllRed wrote: 93 Points
38th Annual Zinfandel Retrospective - the 2011s (R&D's): Deeper color. Notes of botrytis, peach and stone fruit. Tropical fruit and peach flavors on the palate. Softened acidity.
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3/27/2016 - Raye1970 Likes this wine: 96 Points
Wow. Decanted and drank a little cooler than room temperature. It's bouquet of petrol or kerosene just jumped out at you. The color was honey golden and dark yellow or almost copper and you just knew there was a lot going on before the first taste. It did not disappoint with a true explosion of flavors that are too extensive to pinpoint let alone list and a solid yet smooth finish with zero cloy'ness. I've never had a Sauterne this old and feel lucky to have 5 more in the cellar.
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12/26/2015 - Caruso Likes this wine: 96 Points
Alarmed by tasting notes and a drinking window from Neal Martin at erobertparker.com I decided to try this with canard à l'orange. The first sniff and the first sip makes it all too clear. This has nothing to do with wathever Martin was tasting in 2007. Honey, peaches, scents of tropical fruits, citrusy nose, a very long and intense taste with stunning clarity and depth. A truly great Sauternes. This bottle would have been great even in 2 or more decades.
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12/8/2015 - RayOB Likes this wine: 95 Points
Davy's Wine Tasting (Davy's of St James): Rich and very generous with a wonderful botrytis nose. Excellent stuff with a long future ahead still.
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11/28/2015 - AllRed wrote: 93 Points
4th Saturday group "uptown" tasting (Our house): Honeyed tropical fruit with a long, lingering finish. Excellent, and will drink well for some time.
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11/19/2015 - Per-Harald wrote: 89 Points
From a half bottle, it has become dark yellow, not a good sign, smells and tastes like a Tokay 5 Puttonyos. Half bottles are probably not as good as 1/1 bottels,you should drink up your half bottles if you have !
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10/23/2015 - Zweder wrote: 93 Points
Occasional dinner group; TOP Bordeaux 1988: In the bouquet apricots and orange peel and beautiful sweetness. On the palate apricots, ripe pineapple, some butterscotch and cinnamon. Beautiful balance between acidity and sweetness. Still at its peak and it can last at least until the end of this decade, probably longer.
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10/13/2015 - HowardNZ Likes this wine: 92 Points
Sauternes tasting: One of the darkest wines on the table. A nose of butterscotch, burnt toffee, marmalade on buttered toast and mandarin. In the mouth, viscous and tactile. Tasters noted the obvious evolution of the wine. They reported flavours of burnt caramel, coffee, toffee apple, Rieussec-typical brown sugar, golden syrup and a menthol-like element. Very rich, but quite pure, with good mid palate weight. One taster commented on the good acidity but I found it a little harsh. A good wine but one of the lesser wines here, showing more than typical evolution for its age.
N/A = 0 Bronze = 0 Silver = 12 Gold = 10 WOTN = 0
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8/13/2015 - beachbum wrote:
Good mature palette bit npse was pinched.
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3/14/2015 - Billigan Likes this wine: 94 Points
Absolutely on point. Slight metallic note on opening was gone by the time this was served a few hours later. Rich, mature fruits with layers of apricot, orange, caramel, and botrytis spice. Gorgeous.
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1/31/2015 - LWI wrote: 91 Points
Château Gruaud-Larose 1928 - 2011: Very pleasant, some nuts and marmalade, not much complexity, fresh and with god length.
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1/18/2015 - aagrawal wrote: 93 Points
Dinner; 1/18/2015-1/19/2015 (The Palace, Mission, SF): Golden-orange, lighter color than expected for its age; nose has some remarkable complexity with overarching minerality, apricot, marzipan, slight earl grey tea; palate is full bodied and rich but with excellent freshness and acidity, mild fruits throughout well integrated that persist throughout the palate, slight powdered sugar; finish is medium length, orange. Overall this is an excellent top-tier sauternes at an early mature stage but still with many years to go. The strength is definitely the nose with is deep, complex, and has unique character (which sauternes don't often get until they attain 15-20 years or older), and the palate is very balanced and pleasurable but lacks the same complexity. So close to being a 95+ point wine based on the nose, but the palate holds it back to 92-93. Still excellent.
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12/27/2014 - bendid wrote: 95 Points
Really hitting the sweet spot now, perfectly evolved, rich but never cloying, length is top shelf. Can't see it getting much better, but will hold for many years yet.
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12/24/2014 - dougie Likes this wine: 94 Points
Complex and sweet. Bigger than expected. Blew us all away.
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12/21/2014 - europat55 wrote: 93 Points
Simply delicious!!
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12/3/2014 - charleshetzel wrote: 98 Points
always one of the nectars of the the Sauternes worlds - this 88 Ch. Rieussec was golden honey in color, sweet on the nose and the palate with a rounded, honeysuckle finish. Perfection in a glass.
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10/15/2014 - charleshetzel Likes this wine: 94 Points
Brief tasting note. One of my favorite Sauternes houses. This vintage received great accolades and continues to impress. In the past, bottles I have opened have been off or backwards. For a sweet wine, this is full bodied, expressing itself with rich and beautiful vanilla, orange peel, and pineapple. This wine has at least 15 more years on it. 94 points.
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10/9/2014 - ptwu Likes this wine: 95 Points
this was fabulous. incredible length. should drink well for many more years. wish i had more.
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9/9/2014 - Burgundy Al wrote: 88 Points
Casual (Mostly) Burg Dinner with Friends (Bistro Campagne - Chicago, IL): Charming sweetness that really pops to start, but comes across tonight as slightly one dimensional.
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6/9/2014 - Ludi Likes this wine: 94 Points
Oro ramato, ha un delizioso e giovanile naso di zafferano, rosa, iodio, albicocca matura, scorza d'arancia candita. In bocca la dolcezza si accompagna a bilanciata acidità che accompagna costantemente il sorso.
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5/20/2014 - RichardP wrote: 94 Points
Bottle opened four hours in advance; served slightly chilled. Orange marmalade on the nose; orange marmalade on the palate with undertones of pineapple, vanilla, and guava, with strong acidity and a long finish. Excellent, and a good value at $55 -- I should have bought more.
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5/19/2014 - vindictive wrote:
from a magnum (didn't know sauternes came in bottles this big) - still very young, true to the terroir and good acidity. Excellent with foie gras and then desserts. In this format, one could keep this for another century at least
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4/27/2014 - dream Likes this wine: 93 Points
Showing beautifully tonight with a really intense minerality to go along with the ripe fruit flavors of pear, melon and honey with good balancing acidity to keep it fresh. Finishes quite complex with lovely notes of hazelnuts and brown spices. Still young but clearly starting to open up. An excellent vintage for Rieussec.
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2/6/2014 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 90 Points
Enjoyed a taste of dessert wine poured from a bottle that had been opened for two days. Nose of honey, spring flowers, and minerals, more of the same on the palate, rich, tasty and viscous, medium body, medium/long finish.
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12/26/2013 - ArtF Likes this wine: 92 Points
Light/Medium gold. Agree with recent notes. This bottle was sweet and somewhat syrupy but not cloying because of sufficient acidity.
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12/23/2013 - NostraBacchus Likes this wine: 93 Points
Treating myself with a little Prelude before Xmas. Pretty intense amber color. On the nose there are aged Sauternes notes of apricot, orange zest, vanilla, some honey and a touch of smoke. Full-bodied and dense but never heavy, with still medium acidity holding everything beautifully together. Medium-high sweetness but nicely balanced by the acidity. This is a thick, opulent kind of Rieussec, but with enough freshness. A really nice glass of Sauternes, but probably on its peak and there is no need to keep it much longer.
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12/11/2013 - redders wrote: flawed
Slight oxidation on nose spoiled the wine. On palate sweet fruit and bitter orange peel. NR
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12/6/2013 - coyler Likes this wine:
In a great place. Syrupy, but not overly so. Hints of sweet apricots, pears and honey.
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11/8/2013 - CellarBord Likes this wine: 91 Points
Bottle variation was the theme tonight. My first glass came from a bottle with light amber color. Very nice acidity, apricot, very nice finish that paired great with Roasted Pineapple Panna Cotta with Honey Ice Cream. My second glass came from a bottle that was darker gold color. There was less acidity and bolder flavors. I did not enjoy the second glass as much. My rating was for my first glass.
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9/22/2013 - Gian wrote: 92 Points
Yellow gold color and amber , nose of honey , tropical fruits , apricot , on the palate great balance between sweet and acidity , great long finish.
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9/20/2013 - pwillen1 wrote:
6 Liters of Mondavi and Some Randoms (Willamette Wine Storage): Potential mishandling at some point as this wine was really oxidized. Some vanilla and orange peel, but too oxidized to really get the right experience.
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8/25/2013 - Alex H wrote: 88 Points
Raisins in water with touch of prune juice. A little light and nt at all unctuous but lovely orangey marmalade lifting at the finish. Citrusy to a sweet extent. Drink now
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8/9/2013 - pjaines wrote:
Pretty stodgy and heavy on the palate and really not showing any signs of age. I found it rather uninspiring for such an aged wine.
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7/19/2013 - mxpbuy Likes this wine: 92 Points
This wine really isn't showing any signs of being near the end of its peak. Paired with a peaches and cream infused Stilton on melba toast, it dominated and not in a bad way. Apricot, peaches and honey were the dominant flavors.
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7/19/2013 - AllRed wrote: flawed
VA issue
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7/19/2013 - macfish Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very nice Rieussec. everything is there to please and to enjoy. a great pleasure (from 1.5l).
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6/9/2013 - AllRed wrote: 93 Points
Sunday Brown Bag Tasting: Paloma Syrah Vertical (Our house): Deep color. Roasted apricot, honey and marmalade flavors on the nose and palate. Rich texture with a long finish, tinged with baked pineapple and spice notes.
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6/7/2013 - xwine wrote:
Opened at the end of a long night at our house with the gang. Fair bit of botrytis character, dried apricots, orange peel, peach pit, ever-changing in the glass, very nicely balanced. This really walked that fine line between luscious fruit and vibrancy; never cloying, and always enticing you to come back for more. This is in no danger of going downhill, but unfortunately this was my last bottle (this was much better than the bottle from a few years ago). Everyone really enjoyed capping off the evening with this beauty.
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5/29/2013 - pilot360 wrote:
1988 Rieussec - Peach, orange rind, and a good depth of honey. Well structured. Medium weight, feels like its in its prime drinking window now. Similar showing from a 750 opened about a month ago. I am pretty sure that I picked up on some acetone aromas that were coming through the nose. No one else seemed to mention this, but I am sensitive to this (and actually don't mind it). Outstanding
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5/25/2013 - YQUEM90 Likes this wine: 97 Points
Absolutely lovely. Plenty of depth but refined. Even casual wine-drinkers recognized it as special. Certainly another 5+ years of aging potential. Parker called this "immortal" and wine window to 2035. I understand why he would say that.
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2/8/2013 - FYC wrote:
Delicious. Pineapple, apricot, rich cream, and honey. Sweetness and acidity is just right. This is absolutely wonderful. Upset I only bought 2/3 bottles from K&L.
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1/5/2013 - Zweder wrote: 92 Points
Occasional group: Chateauneuf du Pape 2010 (By PZ @ Bottles): Just some short notes. Honey, zest, pineapple, apricots, caramel. Beside the sweetness a firm amount of acidity and bitterness and also some development noticeable.
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11/29/2012 - Vino Me wrote: 92 Points
Opened by BillHike. 2nd time I have had this with similar notes. Last time was in 2006. Fresh tasting but not as spicy and vibrant as I would like a Sauternes. Notes of orange rind and apricot. 92-92 points.
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11/26/2012 - AllRed wrote: 92 Points
Dinner with xhoser (Topaz Cafe, Burr Ridge): From memory. Light golden color. Aromas of apricot, marmalade and stone fruit. Rich texture, with nice tropical fruit and baked apricot flavors. Nice finish. Thank you billhike! 92-93 pts.
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11/23/2012 - Zweder wrote: 92 Points
Boekenhoutskloof Winemakers dinner. (@ Bottles; Sas van Gent, Netherlands): Beautiful wine with botrytis, apricots, beautiful sweetness and good freshness. See also my other notes.
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11/19/2012 - npettit wrote: 93 Points
Delicisious!
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11/10/2012 - Border Boss wrote: 93 Points
I've held these bottles for about 15 years. The wine is still very young. It's a medium yellow with little signes of darkening. It could be a 2007 based on its look. The palate is sweet with nice acidity. Flavors primarily of apricots and pineapple with a bit of caramel. This wine is still not close to maturity and will probably require at least another 5-10 years to attain that level. It'll then hold for at least another 10 years after that.
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9/30/2012 - dougie wrote: 93 Points
Best wine of the
Weekend. Same notes as before.
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9/23/2012 - Bordeauxman wrote: 92 Points
Notes not taken but drinking wonderfully.
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7/22/2012 - honest bob wrote: 92 Points
From 75cl. Another great 1988, until now my favourite year for Sauternes (although 2001 may win out in a decade's time). Medium-bodied, not too sweet, with intense acidity and a powerful botrytis character. The mid palate is a broad canvas, more mineral-acidic-fungal than specifically fruity in reference (but none the worse for that). This gorgeous wine is the first Sauternes I could seriously imagine pairing savoury dishes at table (pace Chez Panisse menu cookbook and other foodies who suggest matching with fish or salty meat dishes). We were very happy to drink it on its own after dinner, and I personally regretted trying a corner of Roquefort with it - simply too powerful for this delicate, aristocratic masterpiece. Time in hand, perhaps 10 years full-throttle pleasure, thereafter a gentle decline. 92P
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7/20/2012 - celk wrote: 93 Points
Much fresher than my previous try. Supple, balanced, manuka honey and pineapple. Enjoyed this quite abit.
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5/27/2012 - AllRed wrote: 93 Points
34th Annual Zinfandel Retrospective - the 2007s (Rich & Dana's): From 750ml. Honey gold color with aromas of pineapple, tropical fruit and honey. The palate follows the bouquet with a botrytis spiciness on the finish. Long, balanced finish. Lovely.
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5/9/2012 - Jeff Leve wrote: 92 Points
With the typical copper, orange hue that comes with the patina of age to Rieussec, the wine offers caramel, pineapple, peach, candied apple, apricot and orange rind topped with honey. This is close to fully mature. There is no reasons to hold this wine for much longer. Pop it and enjoy.
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3/12/2012 - sdr Likes this wine: 93 Points
Evolving beautifully, this 24 year old is wonderfully balanced and not too sweet or alcoholic as Rieussec can be. It appears to have have many years of life ahead.
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1/22/2012 - guido23 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Popped and served immediately. Very caramely and delicious. Paired exquisitely with our pumpkin souffle.
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1/18/2012 - rnellans wrote: 92 Points
Lovely apricot with some caramel in the nose...Silky, sweet, but not cloying.
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1/17/2012 - Rupert wrote:
Fourrier triple horizontal (Medlar, Chelsea, London): Vigorous, energetic, but medicinal is the key note here [and this note was written before I saw Simon's who uses the word medicinal twice]
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1/17/2012 - SimonG wrote: 90 Points
Rupert's Fourrier Offline (The Medlar, London): Mid gold. Quite spicey and a touch arm. More medicinal than sweet. Ripe and quite unctuous. A touch of barley sugar, quite medicinal. For me more interesting than pleasurable. ***1/2
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12/31/2011 - Schiffy wrote: 94 Points
Unctuous blend of caramel, toffee and hints of peaches. Full, over the top mouth feel that is quite delicious. This was absolutely fantastic and a perfect way to end any meal.
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12/6/2011 - wallstreet wrote: 92 Points
Very nice, burnt orange, nice mouth feel. Caramel, cream, orange peel, well balanced, but not as deep as d'Yquem and no where near the price either. Good stuff :)
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11/12/2011 - tooch wrote:
The Embodiment of Memory (Bob's House - Alexandria, VA): Lovely aromatics of peach, tangerine and pineapple. Had some nice botrytis notes - apricots, caramel, etc. The palate was silky and powerful but the finish was a bit angular and somewhat metallic - came across awkward.
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6/1/2011 - Zweder wrote: 92 Points
Amber golden. In the bouquet apricot, honey, a bit cinnamon and candy. On the palate a lot of apricots and ripe pineapple. Beautiful and complex wine, even though I hoped for even a bit more.
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5/13/2011 - Seth Rosenberg wrote: 96 Points
Purchased on release. Golden brown color. Great nose - creamy botrytis caramel and toffee -grilled banana. Great palate also - creamy again. lots of caramel and toffee but the amazing thing is how light it carries itself on the palate - great acid keeps it lively even with the sweetness and caramel flavors. Simply wonderful balance and a beautiful wine. Great showing. Nose: 5/6, Palate: 6/6, Finish: 5/6, Je ne sais quoi (wild card): 2/2 = 18/20 = 96/100.
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3/26/2011 - jkoenen wrote: 89 Points
Rieussec Vertical (Vini di Domani, Eksel): Finegrained and elegant wine. Good definition and typicité. Not extremely sweet, more like a 'Demi-sec'. Tiny oxidative note on the nose, amaretto too. Atypical and tasty, but not as intriguing and impressive as I thought it would be. 17/20
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3/3/2011 - wineismylife wrote:
CellarTracker Texas Offline III - Part One - Khamen visits Texas! (Citrus Bistro, Dallas, TX): WIMLNR
Tasted non blind. Opened and served immediately (had to push the extremely dry cork into the bottle and then decant through a filter prior to serving).
Amber color in the glass, clear looking throughout. Nose of lychee, almonds, spice and tropical fruits. Flavors of lychee, simple syrup and nuts. Medium acidity, medium body. Drink or hold. Not rated. This wine underperformed compared to bottle with solid provenance.
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1/23/2011 - Wine Sparty wrote: 91 Points
Aroma was pretty strong, with honey and petrol notes. Taste was much smoother than any other stickie I have had, though. I can typically only handle a one pour of sweet wines, but this made me want more.
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12/22/2010 - Rosengoo wrote: 91 Points
Very nice but not spectacular. Mid amber colour with lots of peach in the taste. Slightly mild on the taste so it might be time to drink these up sooner rather than later.
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12/12/2010 - austinwinesalon wrote:
The Other Great French Blancs: Champagne and Sauternes (Wink Restaurant, Austin, Texas): Enjoyed much more than the 1989 Rieussec drank alongside, it improved after 15 minutes of air. It had a pale gold color and a nose of gunpowder, menthol, some fresh plastic, sautéed pineapple, honeysuckle, and some acetone. With medium-high acidity, it had some metallic notes that eventually fell off and was lush with good structure. Tasters found notes of marmalade, brown sugar, honeycomb, toffee, caramel, lemon, raisin, grilled apricot, smoke, and pine cones. Its finish was light, and some found the wine disjointed, slightly bitter and green, without the depth of some of the other Sauternes. The 88 Climens and 88 La Tour Blanche in the next flight were much better.
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11/25/2010 - winemaker wrote: 91 Points
Medium Amber. Popped and poured. Smells great, with scents of some diesel, and stone fruits. Tastes similarly. Very good wine, but not a blowout.
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11/5/2010 - wineismylife wrote:
CellarTracker Texas Offline II - Part One (oskiwawa's house in McKinney, Texas): Tasted non blind. Opened and served immediately. Yellow color in the glass, clear looking throughout. Nose of lilikoi and soaked pears. Flavors of yellow pears, a little honey and light notes of lemon. Medium acidity, medium body. Drink or hold. Withholding a rating because this bottle was a little off compared to previous bottles.
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11/5/2010 - petitblanc wrote: 93 Points
CT Texas Offline #2; 11/5/2010-11/6/2010 (McKinney, TX): This matched perfectly with an apple tart, pleasant balance of sweetness, fruit, and acidity. Lovely wine.
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11/5/2010 - GalvezGuy wrote: 91 Points
CT Texas Offline #2 Oskiwawa Raises The Bar; 11/5/2010-11/6/2010 (McKinney, TX): Nose of apricot, lemon curd, honey, spice, peach. On the palate, apricot, lemon curd, spice, honey. Finishes with lifting acidity and great sweetness.
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8/19/2010 - jeff nowak wrote:
my note from 2/09 is remarkably on target for this bottle as well. uncanny, actually.
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5/27/2010 - samer wrote: 92 Points
just a tad of sweetness mixed with lemon and acidity to balance out the apple tartin and creme fraiche...perfect, and no decanting required...the nose evinced peaches and honey and the color was a deep copper
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5/22/2010 - MatthewF wrote:
The Greatest Pig Roast Ever?? (Chicagoland): From 750ml. Golden yellow color. Much more depth on the nose than the 88 Climens served alongside. Baked apricot, peach, with a good dose of vanilla and honey. Lush and expansive on the palate. The same roasted/baked fruits and vanilla notes. Lots of body to the wine and nice acidity. Long lingering finish.
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5/9/2010 - xwine wrote:
Had this on Mother's Day and forgot to note it. Deep gold, starting towards amber. A very nice Sauternes, decent balance, but seemed to lack depth or complexity -- rather straightforward.
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5/7/2010 - gblacave wrote: 93 Points
Last wine of the night and in excellent form! This was drinking well with everything in balance. Nice botrytis nose with peaches, honeyed nuts and a good dose of bright citrusy notes. This was lively and young with fantastic depth and richness on the palate. Round mouth full of flavors - apricots, dried pineapple, honeyed sweetness - this was firing on all cylinders. Nice depth and great acidity. Mouth-coating, but not at all cloying. Very nice and an excellent experience to cap a wonderful night!
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4/13/2010 - redders wrote: 91 Points
golden colour but very bright, lovely sweet , good botrytis, not overly flamboyant for Riussec, sweet barley sugar , strong acidity,mature but lively, lastee several days without deterioration. Very good wine.
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3/28/2010 - 14frimaire wrote:
Nice enough, but nothing special. Certainly not worth the wait.
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2/6/2010 - CSteefel wrote: 88 Points
Last up was a 1988 Rieussec Sauternes, that while it paired well with the poached pears, did not do much for me. Slightly on the simple side, and missing some of the acidity and extra botrytis I look for in a really energetic Sauternes, this just could not compete with the Italian fireworks tasted before.
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1/28/2010 - samer wrote: 94 Points
A nose redolent of peaches, molasses, and a touch of lemon/acidity served as the prelude to a beautifully balanced wine, with honey, molasses, and tart grapefruit on the tongue and just the right amount of alcohol. The wine went perfectly with homemade pecan pie.
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1/12/2010 - samer wrote: 91 Points
As with the prior bottles, this sauternes doesn't disappoint. A nose of peaches and honey leads to a balanced taste of apricots channelled with a lively acidity/astringency.
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1/9/2010 - rnellans wrote: 92 Points
Medium golden color. Viscous, apricots and very nice lingering sweet finish...
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11/19/2009 - rexmerlot wrote: 91 Points
No detailed notes. Great wine. Drinking well right now.
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11/16/2009 - fandj wrote: 90 Points
We thought this was lovely, but Jim Kunz brought a 1988 Climens that was outstanding!!!
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7/18/2009 - Rupert wrote:
Sumptous vanillin sauternes, plenty of life, though getting drier now in the way that Rieussec seems to more than the others
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6/21/2009 - dougie wrote: 93 Points
Amazing. Apricot, dried pineapple and a touch of grapefruit. Perfect amount of sweetness. wow.
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6/4/2009 - sdr wrote: 84 Points
I found this bottle frankly disapointing. There was too much alcohol and a metallic taste. Too lean, not much botrytis in evidence. Perhaps just an off bottle. Others liked it better.
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4/7/2009 - EGunderson wrote: 93 Points
No detailed notes. Outstanding wine, wish I had more.
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3/11/2009 - Claret wrote: 92 Points
Huge wine. Viscous peach, apricot. Well in the zone. Super bottle.
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3/1/2009 - mlawren1 wrote: 89 Points
Golden brown in the glass, wonderful honey and cinnamon nose, taste is a bit syrupy with apples and pears.
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2/19/2009 - jeff nowak wrote: 90 Points
difficult not to judge this wine against the 2001 in my mind, and this comes up short. it's a wine of medium acid, and nicely balanced fruit, but it doesn't have the richly textured mouthfeel or sub-structure ( i call it, oomph) i crave. 88 sauternes, for me in general, have not really captured my attention when you consider the reputation of the vintage. certainly a nice wine, but hardly a blockbuster.
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1/17/2009 - AllRed wrote: 92 Points
Pale gold color. Notes of honey, apricot and peach jam. Tropical fruit and marmalade flavors on the palate. Long finish.
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1/7/2009 - Mark Larson wrote: 89 Points
Still alive (I was worried because in it's early life it did not have the best storage) it did not thrill but was satisfying.
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1/1/2009 - Redteeth wrote:
This was a well-aged Sauternes that was in good shape. the color was deep gold, the fruits had all matured to rich, dry flavor and much of the ultra-sweetness had dried out. It was a pleasure to drink with a rich dessert. I would have also liked to try it with pate' or cheese.
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12/28/2008 - quagland wrote:
dark in color...nose of port and unlit tobacco...pleasant experience with saint agur roq
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12/26/2008 - FransS wrote: 92 Points
Last evening finishing the X-mas dinner. Combined with a fress orange jelly pudding it is a very good wine, although not spectacular. The wine has a good balance and lots of botrytis that keeps this Rieussec from being clumsy.
A very good aftertaste, but as I said, this bottle was not spectacular but absolutely very enjoyable.
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11/6/2008 - ginfizz wrote: 93 Points
Needs an hour in the decanter or bottle to come together. Pineapple and citrus fruits sauteed in butter, with a creme brulee finish. Brilliant.
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10/18/2008 - good old ludwig van wrote: 91 Points
S-m-o-o-t-h. Didn't decant. Very enjoyable with key lime pie.
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8/31/2008 - dougie wrote: 93 Points
Wonderful flavors. Not overly sweet. Since it just had enough sweetness, I plan on drinking the other bottles during the next year or two.
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8/30/2008 - samer wrote: 90 Points
Served at room temperature to start -- A pale copper or dirty gold color. Raisins, brandy, molasses, vanilla, and faint cinnamon on the nose. Tastes of strawberry, with some astringency...somewhat medicinal.
After refrigerating overnight -- better, less medicinal, more peaches & honey on the tongue & nose.
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8/30/2008 - David J Cooper wrote:
Golden. Lots of caramel and floral notes. Some of the sweetness has aged away and left a very nice dessert wine. A decent finish. Have had better 88s recently like Guiraud.
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6/28/2008 - chbeaumont wrote: 91 Points
Much more youthful looking than the '90; has a kernelly, lanolin, powerful; this is a fresh, leaner, more stylish, tremendous balance. Lingering finish. Has a odd twang at end, not in pristine condition. A bottle in good nick will age afurther 15+ years. 16
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6/2/2008 - samer wrote: 95 Points
Drank over 2 nights. On the first night, the nose betrayed brandy or cognac (but with a little less alcohol), and we tasted faint hints of apricots, peaches, and honey. On the second night, the cognac had dissippated to reveal a rich nose of molasses and stewed peaches, the precursor to a substantial mouth-feel of honey and overripe banana. Do not be afraid to leave out a 3rd night, as I suspect it would get even better.
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5/29/2008 - joshwoodward wrote: 95 Points
Possible cork problem. Rich complex nose - banana, medicine, orange, flowers. Much less citrus than vsv, not very acidic. Subtle. Apples, apricot. Medium body, medium sweetness. Lots of cookie/biscotti/bread, but not over the hill. At peak or slightly past. Silky. $130
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5/26/2008 - samer wrote: 94 Points
A balanced mix of smells -- stewed peaches, raisins, honey, and apricots with a little bit of wax, the way a Sauternes should smell. On the tongue, we tasted sticky honey, with some syrup and some lemon...matched perfectly to vanilla ice cream and peanut butter/fudge cookie we had for dessert.
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5/17/2008 - KeithAkers wrote: 93 Points
80s Bordeaux Birthday dinner (Cotes Du Rhone Bistro(Chicago, IL)): nose: wonderful aged botrytis filled nose of honey, pear, apricots, and some nectarine flavors. There is also something going on with this nose that I just can't put my finger on, but lordy do I want to keep on smelling
taste: great honeyed apricot tones with pear and melon notes working in great balance. utterly beautiful and gorgeous feel
overall: this turned into an "aha" moment as this was my first time with a truly aged sauternes. Just wonderful balance and length that is just so succulent and enjoyable
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4/19/2008 - Train_de_Nuit wrote: 89 Points
1988 Sauternes Horizontal (Alameda): Nice tropical nose, WOTN. 3rd night, honey nose, color of scotch whiskey, moving towards amber. Heavy and tastes of clover honey, a little bitter, a little heat. Some Almond and caramel, nice finish. 4th night, still going strong.
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12/25/2007 - MikeKlein wrote: flawed
Deep gold and, unfortunately, totally oxidized and sherried. Hopefully the other two are OK.
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10/27/2007 - samer wrote: 90 Points
deep chocolate taste & nose...not incredibly sweet...a little hint of cognac
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10/21/2007 - fandj wrote: 95 Points
What a delicious end to a lovely evening with friends. I wish we had more of this vintage!
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9/23/2007 - Tubbs wrote: 92 Points
Consumed at Jason Goldberger's going away party. Decanted for 3 hours and even so, the last glass was the best, (after sitting for 2.5 hours.).
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5/25/2007 - mburleigh wrote: 93 Points
Great bottle in comparison to other aged sauternes. Nice amber color, smooth, shorter finish than the 86 Reussec that I tasted earlier, not as sweet either.This wine was a wonderfull liquid desert.
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4/25/2007 - CamWheeler wrote: 88 Points
David's 50th (Canberra, Australia): Dark golden colour, darker than the '83 I opened a couple of weekends afterward. Rich nose of caramel, spice, apple and coconut. Medium level of sweetness on the palate with a core of acid that is only just enough to keep the focus. I enjoyed drinking it and thought it quite tasty, if slightly simple.
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4/14/2007 - Nanda wrote: 93 Points
High-end Cali Cabs with Bryan's Steaks (The Shaffer's): Light gold color with aromas of honey, botrytis and peaches. Lively, medium bodied palate has rich peach fruit. Intense up front with a medium length finish.
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2/11/2007 - Rupert wrote: 88 Points
Nail varnish nose, thick and very sweet on the palate, fresh, fairly simple
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1/27/2007 - sdr wrote: 90 Points
Nice balance of the powerful Rieussec style reigned in a bit by the acidity and structure of the '88 vintage. Completely ready now, but it should be very long-lived.
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12/31/2006 - Nanda wrote: 92 Points
New Years Eve Dinner (The Platnick's --- Evanston, IL): Dark bronze in color. Earthy notes underly the boytris, honey, creme brulee and orange fruits. Heavy in body. Side-by-side, appeared and tasted older than an 88 Lafaurie-Peyraguey.
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11/21/2006 - Rupert wrote: 89 Points
Chateau Rieussec vertical (Bentley Hotel, London): Browning (though nowhere near as deep as the 1990), again rather simple brown sugar flavours on the palate, but big and long. [Have since checked this against one of my own bottles which was a healthy bright gold, not brown at all, indicating that that this was a sub-standard bottle]
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11/21/2006 - Vino Me wrote: 93 Points
We ordered this off of the Courtright wine list for $120.00. Not in the same class as the 2001 Rieussec which was poured next to it. Still outstanding though. Notes of dried apricots and pineapple. Smoother than the 2001 but lacking in intensity. 92-93 points.
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11/18/2006 - thelostverse wrote: 93 Points
Purchased off the wine list for the Courtright Dinner. To me this wine was better on its own rather than paired with the desserts. We had this side by side with the '01, which clearly was better when with the food. Viscous notes of lemon and other citrus. Delicious. The score here is averaged: 94 pts. without food and 92 pts. with food. Strange.
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11/18/2006 - AllRed wrote: 94 Points
Chicago Wine Mafia Dinner in the Cellar (Courtright's Restaurant, Willow Springs, IL): Purchased off the wine list for the dinner, about $120 IIRC. Deep yellow color, with dried apricot, marmalade and botrytis notes. Unctuous and rich palate, with tropical fruit and spice flavors, and a fairly long finish.
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11/18/2006 - grossie wrote: 92 Points
Deep yellow, not quite gold in color. Nutty nose, mild botrytis. Sweet nutty palate with a hint of bitter at the end. A very nice sauternes, but I think this one was actually harmed by its age- the nutty quality turned a little bitter. I think this paled somewhat compared to the 2001.
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11/14/2006 - drcbarroso wrote: 92 Points
Had as part of a birthday dinner with friends. Had alongside a 79 Climens. Popped and poured from 375. This is still a young pup, showing a golden color, nose of boytritis and apricot. Mouthfeel is fantastic, and a long finish to complete the experience.
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10/20/2006 - Nanda wrote:
Dinner at Vinci (Vinci - Chicago, IL): Aromatic with orange, honey and boytris notes. The soft, ripe fruits show restraint and maturity. Elegant textrue glides across the palate. Long finish. Wonderful sticky that's in a great place.
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10/14/2006 - sdr wrote: 90 Points
Typical plush and lush Rieussec. The acidic character of 1988 vintage serves well to keep this one from going over the top. Probably as good as it will get.
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9/13/2006 - keithgg wrote: 96 Points
Gorgeous stuff. This is what the 2001 will evolve to.
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8/31/2006 - ml wrote:
Nice. A little less sweet and less botrytis than I normally like. Perhaps younger would have been better here? Surprisingly a touch hot on the palate, too.
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5/13/2006 - sdr wrote: 90 Points
This is my first sample of this wine (in 375s) I purchased on release. The usual Rieussec lush boisterous honey bomb is reined in a bit by the slightly austere '88 vintage character. Still, plenty of cream, apricot and walnut to make a great foil for the key lime pie we had for dessert with the Cataldos at Marks Mizner Park. This should age nicely.
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4/16/2006 - xwine wrote:
Easter dinner -- no notes taken. Lovely wine. Drinking very well right now. With meringue and berries.
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11/6/2005 - Bunski wrote: 90 Points
Very nice bottle of Sauternes. A little too heavy for my taste with not enough terroir and acidity. Long aftertaste that has the apricot lingering on your tongue for a long long time. Maybe give it some more time would be good.
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9/26/2005 - PaulH wrote: 93 Points
Medium gold color, extracted, lush and mouth coating with sweet summer fruit and good balancing acidity. Long long finish.
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4/7/2005 - burningstarIV wrote: 96 Points
This wine is far from settled down - still extremely young and alcoholic. Some air allows for generous aroms of honey, melons, and ripe citrus. Mouth is full and sweet, but a little too hot. Finish is probably over a minute.
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5/22/2004 - La Cave d'Argent wrote: 95 Points
Consumed from a standard (750 cc) bottle at the Roche Cayucos home. Bottle provided by Amy Weinberg. Bright disc. Medium gold robe with clear rim. Clean nose, showing explosive aromas of apricots, peaches, pears, vanilla, honey and oak. Full-bodied on the palate, with medium acidity, a creamy mouth texture and flavors which mirror the nose. Long, smooth finish.
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5/7/2004 - Spencer wrote: 92 Points
First Tuesday Wine Group Annual Dinner. Powerful and dense, but perfectly balanced. Beautiful nose, with loads of honey and orange. Great mouthfeel, and extremely long. This should last a long time.
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12/31/2003 - HamishR wrote: 95 Points
Wonderful, golden colour; rich, riope nose a bit of honey; exquisite balance on palate, sweet apricot lovely balance. long finish.
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5/6/2001 - Henman wrote:
N: marzipan,citrus
P: roasted notes,honey,mango.
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11/7/2000 - Xavier Auerbach wrote: 93 Points
Christie's Pre-Sale Tasting (Amsterdam): A beautiful, stylish, elegant 1988, very much my type of Sauternes.
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5/13/1999 - mdefreitas wrote: 90 Points
Rich, with some musky hints. Tropical fruits and some vanilla. Long finish.
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12/24/1996 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 95 Points
Enjoyed this bottle and a 1976 for dessert with peach cobbler, nose of honey, caramel, orange, and peach, medium/big body, lovely to sip and savor, elegant, and a long finish, liked the 1976 better.
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11/1/1996 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 96 Points
7 Vintages of Chateau Rieussec. (Walnut Creek, Ca.): Nose of lovely, rich citrus, opened slowly to honey and heat, on the palate, medium/big body, lovely, rich taste, very mouth filling, very subtle, complex, and elegant, needs 15 years to peak, and a long, long, long finish. My #1 of 7.
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3/22/1996 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 93 Points
Rochioli Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Rieussec, Suduiraut with Tom and Teresa Rochioli (Jonathan Ash, Healdsburg, Ca.): Great fruit, nice acid, touch of lanolin on the nose, needs 5 years to peak, rich, berry finish.
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4/18/1995 - Xavier Auerbach wrote: 93 Points
Christie's Pre-Sale Tasting (Amsterdam): Bright yellow gold; wonderful young Sémillon nose with lovely new oak; good weight, lovely herbaceous touch. Now - 2020.
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