2003 Rieussec and 1999 Yquem

[Roel]

The wife and I love our glass of Sauternes now and then. Today we sipped a 375ml 2003 Rieussec; last week a 375ml 1999 Yquem.

2003 Rieussec: Pop and pour from a half bottle. Tell-tale nose with apricot, honey, marmelade, wax, creme brûlée and some dried fruit- impressions. On the palate a rich, big Sauternes. Apricot, honey, orange skin, grapefruit, butterscotch and a darker tone leaning towards mocha. Lip smacking finish of 30-40 seconds. A statement of 2003. Hardly any acidity obvious, modest botrytis and complexity, but richness all the way. Is this a profound Rieussec? No. Is it a treat on just a day like this? Hell yeah. Pour some more! 91 points

1999 Yquem: The wife sniffs, smiles and detects what it is all about. "Honey and apricot". That sums it up nicely, but there is much more to find in the glass. White flowers, orange skin (of the ripest of oranges), a notch of stones? Refined botrytis, fine acidity and a long, long finish. Hard to believe this is a 16-year old from a small bottle. Secondary tones seem to emerge in the distance, but the freshness and ripeness, combined with the incredible balance make it a young wine.
Nothing to complain? Sure. It's a small bottle. Three glasses and money is spent. Regarding the wine itself, only the lack of a certain degree of complexity is something to notice. That's the only complaint. It's a divine wine. It brings you to places you can't visit yourself. Rich, yet elegant. Sweet, yet fresh. A wonderful treat. 93 points

[JimHow]

Mmmmmm.

[stefan]

I agree completely.

[AKR]

Nice. Rieussec is a favorite of ours too.

[AKR]

I had a glass of the 03 Rieussec tonight too, from a half. It sounds about the same as the OP -- a very nice wine. These splits are not keeping as well as full bottles nor do they have the brilliance of the 2001.