9 AM is a perfectly acceptable time to open Sauternes when on vacation.
This is amazing. Legendary vintage of this wine and in a damn near perfect spot right now. What really makes great Sauternes stand out to me above most dessert wines is the freshness to balance out the sweetness, and this has it in spades.
Lots of Orange marmalade and some honey and slight waxy notes. The mouthfeel is so light and it’s so transparent feeling, which really gives it an ethereal quality. This is really in perfect balance right now between the sweetness vs. acidity and fruit vs. tertiary flavors. 10/10, would drink again (and have another bottle, so I just might).
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This wine is so great when it’s on; it seemed like it was always on near release but lately it seems more hit or miss. Glad this one was a hit!
The cork was pretty dried out and broke in half, so I was a bit worried. But I think it’s likely related to being in a hotel fridge for 4 days… the wine is in great shape!
No such thing as a better breakfast…and vintage. Cheers
Always cool to hear when a bottle with a questionable cork still shows up strong, especially a 2001 Rieussec! That balance of marmalade and acidity is what makes these sing, totally agree. Hotel fridge life can be risky, but it sounds like this one powered through just fine.
Anytime is a good time to open 01 Sauternes…you look like you’re in Greece maybe? 
My last taste–and the last bottle I owned, sadly, is from 3 years ago—at my MEOW event when I had in on the table with a bunch of the other 01s:
2001 Chateau Rieussec
From a full, lightly spiced scents of vanilla, honey and pineapple. I have heard varied reports about Rieussec from this year, but I must have gotten a good bottle. Persistent and really lovely here–I think it is ready, with melon, citrus and vanilla bean. Its balance is exemplary and this is back to being nearly super wine. 95+ Bravo
Had a 375 of this last week. Spot on note! It’s in a good place right now.
