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Chateau Rieussec, Sauternes, 2005 (.375 ml)

Dessert Wine from Bordeaux, France
by Chateau Rieussec
$79.99
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Twenty years on, in a half bottle — which is exactly what makes this a Tuesday proposition rather than a special-occasion one. Rieussec is a First Growth of Sauternes, classified back in 1855 and owned since 1984 by the Rothschilds of Lafite, with vineyards running right up against Yquem. 2005 was one of the great modern Bordeaux vintages, and two decades have let this trade its primary fruit for something deeper and more savory. The half-bottle format is the quiet hero: you can open a genuinely serious botrytized sweet wine for two people without committing to a full 750. Fully mature, unctuous, and the kind of bottle that turns dessert into the main event. Serve it well chilled.

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Antonio Galloni

93 points

"The 2005 Rieussec has a petrolly nose with quince, fig and Clementine scents that blossom in the glass. Good intensity. The palate is well balanced with a viscous opening and fine grip, very pure in style, with fig, dates and peach towards the harmonious finish. Lovely. Tasted at the 2005 Sauternes horizontal held at Château Coutet." —Neal Martin

Robert Parker

97 points

"The 2005 Rieussec is a blend of 90% Semillon, 8% Sauvignon Blanc and 2% Muscadelle picked between 23 September and 27 October. It has a fabulous bouquet that is mineral-rich and tensile. The palate repeats its performance from last year: focused, tense, laden with botrytis-rich fruit with a crystalline and sorbet-fresh finish that seals the deal. One of the best releases from the estate in recent years. Tasted April 2016." —Neal Martin

Wine Spectator

96 points

"Shows enticing aromas of toffee, cream, dried apricot and caramel. Full-bodied, very sweet and thick, with honey and caramel flavors. Long and rich, oozing with sweet, ripe fruit, this is like liquid candy."

Wine Enthusiast

94 points

"You get both apricots and honeyed botrytis aromas that are followed through by a dry core, very full-bodied with richness, the sweetness of the yellow jam fruits, apricots and mangoes gliding over the palate. Delicious, and certainly ageworthy." —Roger Voss

More about Chateau Rieussec

Owned by Rothschild since 1984, this Sauternes First Growth makes wines of astonishing complexity. The oak aging and extended bottle age potential set Rieussec apart—these aren't immediately sweet or cloying, but layered and profound.

Wine Details

  • Grape Variety

    Muscadelle , Sauvignon Blanc , Semillon

  • Vintage

    2005

  • Size

    .375 ml

  • Farming Practice

    Traditional

Flatiron's Take

From the Importer

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Tasting Notes & Food Pairings

Perfect Pairings

Roquefort and other blue cheeses, foie gras, tarte Tatin, or simply on its own after dinner.

Tasting Profile

Sweet, unctuous and full-bodied, with honeyed botrytis, dried apricot, marmalade and toasted notes, kept lively by Sauternes' signature acidity.

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