Rieussec 2005 - how good is it?

WINE TALK
1

I am asking because i am considering buying a lot, but it entails I take 24 bottles (750’s) in OWC.

Now, i can probably offload one OWC at cost, but the rest will stay with me. Is it good enough to have twelve bottles of it tucked away when you only consume 3-4 bottles of Sauterne per year? The price is right so im tempted [drinkers.gif]

2

Mattias: I have not had it, having gone long with the 2003. If you go to JJ Buckley’s site, they have 6 different critiques ranging from 93-96. Neal Martin was quite impressed with it.

3

I’ve enjoyed it quite bit. It’s not the 2001, but it is a fine Sauternes. Plus the stuff lasts forever, so you can lay it down and largely forget it.

4

Of the top Sauternes estates, Rieussec has always struck me as the most botrytised - which is not my preference, but the 05 is a good example of their style and should, as David notes, last a long time.

5

It is quite good for drinking in the future, not all that great for drinking now. When I tried it most recently, it seemed just above average when first opened, but it blossomed into a superb sauternes over the next 7-10 days (it didn’t seem to hit its stride until days after opening). I agree with those who would say the 05 is a great Rieussec and consistent with its full bodied high botrytis style.

I’m hoping to have a head-to-head comparison of the 01 and 05 Rieussec in a decade or two. As good as the 01 is, I suspect that the 05 won’t be that far behind. If you have a good price on it, go for it. (The 2005 Rieussec is widely available for just over $30/half, which I think is absolutely worth it if you like their style… and I do.)

6

Thanks, it sounds like this is a solid buy. I look forward to following it over 10 years (or more, if i can leave it be!)

7

JJ Buckley has half bottles for $40 shipped to me. I might have to add some of those to my collection in the very near future.

Damn enablers, every one of ya. :wink:

8

I thought it was just so-so-low acid and boring.

9

How much time did you try it over? I was stunned by how much it changed over the week that I tried it. Most young Sauternes improve, but this is the most I’ve ever seen a wine change over such a long window. I’ve only tried it once though… I’ll need to try it again at some point to confirm.

10

I had it 2-3 times-no long term.

11

Also, though all Sauternes are hard to judge young, I think rieussec is often the most awkward when it’s young. I didn’t think the 2001 was all that spectacular until just a few months ago… And it was still quite adolescent and a bit awkward. I’ll be quite interested in how the 05 turns out, but I’ve certainly bought a few halves to taste over the next few decades.

12

As a wine I think it was better under the previous ownership.

13

Folks, you present me with an interesting dilemma. See, the LCBO is clearing out its Sauternes in a bin end sale and I have the following options. I can get a full bottle of 2005 Rieussec for $87 CDN or for approximately the same amount of dough I can get a half-bottle each of 2009 Lafaurie-Peyraguey, 2009 Doisy-Vedrines, and 2009 Myrat.

While the latter three are arguably lesser Sauternes than the Rieussec, they also happen to hail from the excellent 2009 vintage. What do you guys think is the better deal for me to pick up this weekend?

14

That’s a tough question, mostly because I have no idea how pricing works in Canada. That 05 Rieussec is 50% more expensive than it should be here.

I’ve never been a huge fan of Myrat, so I tend to discount that. Still, a half each of Lafaurie and Doisy Vedrines is tempting. Go based on style. Rieussec will be more full bodied, more spicy, more botrytis. Lafaurie will be more floral, Doisy Vedrines will be more minerally/pure and Barsac-like. If you’re going to drink it by itself, go for the Rieussec. With food? Go with the Lafaurie or Doisy. Also, how long do you think you can hold off drinking it? If you think you might be tempted to dip into it within the next few years, go for the 2009s. Rieussec traditionally needs a lot of time to come around (eg. right now shows a bit oaky…).

15

Let’s put it this way: my 01 and 03 Sauternes are already finished and the 05s are up next. Self control is not one of my stronger traits. After I drink my half dozen 05s the dozen 07s are next. I only have one 08 Rieussec – an awful vintage but it’s Rieussec so I made an exception – and then another half dozen 09s to plow through. There are a few 10s but I believe this is another awful vintage to skip along with 12 and that I will go for more 09s and the 11s next.

16

Go the Rieussec and for god’s sake try and hold on to it for a decade.

If you can’t keep your hands off it, then I would say the 09 Lafaurie.