“Simply stunning.” – Wine Advocate

And simply astounding that this is our first Rieussec offer? You can’t be serious! Sourced many a great Sauternes, including Yquem, but did we really save the best for last? The best value, at least?

Can you think of another Grand Cru from the brilliant 2009 vintage in Sauternes that can be yours today for a symphonic $75?! Run, don’t walk.

Just L@@K at those 97-98 point reviews from all over! Are those scores even conservative by now? Probably. Only one way to find out, and it won’t even cost you $80. It sure has a good few more decades of glorious aging potential to spare, so we advise you to stash some away, too.

In the great pyramid of Sauternes, just below Yquem, is Rieussec. The irony is, you can buy a FULL CASE of this today for what a BOTTLE of the 2009 Yquem may set you back for. And they honestly are not that far apart from each other when tasted side by side with their next-door neighbor.

According to VinePair “Château d’Yquem may serve as the flag-bearer for Sauternes, but many other affordable versions can be found. The historic Château Rieussec was named a First Growth in the 1855 classification and today is one of the largest landowners in the region. Run by monks in the 18th century, it’s now under the umbrella of the prestigious Barons de Rothschild (Lafite). The Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle grapes rely on botrytis to concentrate sugars and create the floral and honeyed wine Rieussec is known for… it’s an ideal alternative to Château d’Yquem.”

Last word, while it lasts: you don’t have to wait until 2060, it’s lovely now too!

98 Points – Wine Advocate “Pale to medium gold colored, the 2009 Rieussec sings of crème caramel, chopped nuts, baked apples and spiced pears with hints of jasmine, peach blossoms and beeswax. Full-bodied, rich and decadently creamy in the mouth, the multilayered palate is beautifully lifted with fantastic freshness. It has a very long finish offering a lasting impression of great elegance and finesse. Simply stunning. Drink 2019-2050.”

98 Points – James Suckling “Lots of caramel and Seville orange. Apricots, vanilla and sultanas. Intensely sweet on the palate with a deep texture and and good complexity. This Sauternes is wonderfully long and dense with superb purity and precision. Extravagant sweet wine. Drinks amazingly well already now, so why wait?”

97 Points – Vinous “The 2009 Rieussec has long been a favourite of mine. It is a little deeper in colour than its peers. This is rich and powerful with clear honey, acacia, orange blossom and quince aromas, just a hint of crème caramel in the background. The palate is very well balanced with another superb line of acidity. Very pure and focused with captivating tension on the finish, the tongue tingling with Szechuan peppers on the aftertaste. Wonderful. Drink 2020-2060.”

97 Points – Falstaff “Intense golden yellow colour with silver hues, refined brightening on the rim. Intense yellow tropical fruit, refined hints of honey, beautiful apricot and caramel, ripe stone fruit nuances and a subtle hint of coconut. Juicy, ripe pineapple, refined savoury notes of botrytis, a pleasant freshness, great complexity, very good balance, great length, an outstanding sweet wine, close to perfection. Let it age a little longer, it has not yet reached its full maturity.”