Chateau Rieussec   Rieussec

2008 Rieussec

By Chateau Rieussec

2008 Rieussec from Chateau Rieussec, Sauternes, Bordeaux

The 2008 Rieussec from Chateau Rieussec evokes the harmony of Sauternes in a year that was marked by meticulous balance and expressive ripeness. For connoisseurs and wine investors alike, this vintage proves a testament to the tenacity of Chateau Rieussec's vineyard stewardship against the trials presented by the 2008 climatic calendar.

 

Harvesting Excellence Amidst Climatic Caprice

The growing season of 2008 was a vigneron's odyssey; a year that began with wet spring conditions, transitioned into a mild summer, and culminated in an autumn that graciously offered requisite warmth and sunlight. The magic transpired late in the season, as October's cool evenings and warm days coaxed the botrytis cinerea, also reverently known as noble rot, to develop its benevolent blight with precision and grace upon the grapes.

 

Vintage Virtuosity: The Taster's Tale

The lexicon to describe the 2008 Rieussec engages with indulgent terms; succulent apricot, candied citrus peel, and a lush bouquet of aromatic honey guide the narrative of this opulent wine. A subtle undercurrent of ginger spice adds complexity to the sensory tableau, creating an eloquent dance of flavours on the palate. This wine's lavish texture is supported by a bright acidity that ensures longevity, making it a valuable addition to any serious collection for both future appreciation and potential wine investment returns.

Chateau Rieussec has always been known for wines that illustrate the culmination of exceptional terroir united with human artistry. The vision espoused through every glass of its 2008 offering reveals their capabilities; they produced not just an admirable Sauternes, but rather a liquid archive of an extraordinary year.

In summing up, the 2008 Rieussec from Chateau Rieussec encapsulates an investment-grade vintage where patience rewarded investors with a sublime nectar. Its equilibrium between lusciousness and acid makes it an irrefutable candidate for both near-term enjoyment and long-term maturation—a resplendent sauterne to linger over as it grows in both flavour and fiscal promise.

Market price (GBP)

£280.00

12x75cl

Highest score

93

POP score

21.54

Scores and tasting notes

93

Tasted single blind against its peers. The Chateau Rieussec 2008 should become an excellent Sauternes for the vintage. It has a floral bouquet with peach, tinned apricot and a touch of marmalade, all with fine delineation, and touches of lemon curd developing with aeration. The palate is mellifluous on the entry, with great depth and a luscious, vanillary note with hints of orange peel, marmalade and quince towards the long finish. Excellent. Tasted January 2012.

Robert Parker Jr - Wine Advocate #199

90

The 2008 Rieussec is a blend of 86% Semillon, 12% Sauvignon Blanc and 2% Muscadelle picked from 29 September until 14 November over four or five pickings. The nose seemed to have closed down since I last encountered it in 2012, quite earthy and resinous, lacking some spark. The palate is much better with sour lemon and quince on the entry, a touch of patisserie, strangely making me think of Danish pastry towards the well-defined finish. This 2008 is a little difficult to work out at the moment, perhaps overwhelmed by the succeeding vintage. Tasted April 2016.

Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate, 31 January 2017

Vintage performance