Rieussec - Sauternes 2022

Alexandre Ma

96

byAlexandre Mathe3/10/2025

I never anticipated that the 2022 vintage of Château Rieussec could be this extraordinary! The highly concentrated wine melts on the palate, transitioning from rich to delicate in an instant—like a massive submarine silently surfacing without disturbing the water. Aromas of acacia, golden champaca, and maple syrup unfold in layers, while the sweet fragrances of yellow peach, kumquat, and jackfruit bloom gracefully. Despite a residual sugar of 139 g/l, its commitment to elegance remains unwavering. Its acidity is consistently vibrant, and the finish reveals a delightful touch of salinity that adds an unexpected layer of charm. From my tasting experience, the 2022 vintage of Château Rieussec surpasses the 2019 in concentration and possesses more gravitas than the 2021. Undoubtedly, this is the finest Château Rieussec I have ever encountered!

Yvesbeck.wine

97

byYves Beckthe2/25/2025

91% Sémillon, 9% Sauvignon Blanc L'exubérance n'est pas vraiment la priorité de Rieussec et ce 2022 le rappelle avec insistance. Il mise sur la finesse, sur les détails sans omettre de souligner la complexité et la générosité du millésime tant sur le plan olfactif que gustatif. Le bouquet révèle des nuances subtiles, profondes et c'est pourtant bien la fraîcheur qui mène le vin. Les nuances de fleurs d'acacia, de zeste d'oranges, de mandarines et de citronnelle mêlées à des nuances confites soulignent cette fraîcheur tout en la liant à de la maturité. En bouche, Rieussec rappelle son focus dédié à la précision, à une douceur maîtrisée et au tempérament. Tout cela est corrélé à l'austérité cristallisant la fraîcheur, la salinité et le tempérament. Un vin de caractère qui démontre des ambitions dédiées au long terme… mais qui n'exclut pas les épicuriens réceptifs à l'instant présent. En résumé, il est contemporain, mais ne renie pas son style traditionnel. 2028-2052 97/100

Vinous

94

byNeal Martinthe2/12/2025

The 2022 Rieussec has a perfumed nose of dried honey, muscat, honeysuckle and saffron with commendable intensity. Very mercurial in the glass, it coils up and conveys more strictness after a few minutes. The palate is medium-bodied with a keen line of acidity and a little spice, as touches of ginger come through on the finish. Very fine. 139 g/L residual sugar.

Wine Advocate

95

byYohan Castaingthe1/16/2025

With 139 grams per liter of residual sugar, the 2022 Rieussec is one of the wines of the vintage. It reveals a complex, deep bouquet of exotic fruits, mangoes, dried apricots and spices. Full-bodied, dense and harmonious, it has a fleshy core of fruit, bright acids and lively, delicate acidity, leading to a long, fruity and ethereal finish. Fermented in new barrels for the Sémillon and in one-year barrels for the Sauvignon Blanc, this beauty was matured for 18 months in the same barrels.
95+

Vinous

93-95

byNeal Martinthe4/1/2024

The 2022 Rieussec has a precise bouquet with mineral-infused honeyed fruit, and hints of oyster shell tucked under that botrytis. The palate is medium-bodied with a viscous opening, crisp acidity, very harmonious with neatly integrated oak. Lively on the finish, but I feel this will need bottle age to cohere. Patience required.

The Wine Independent

94-96

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe6/1/2023

The 2022 Rieussec, 93% Semillon and 7% Sauvignon Blanc, is pale to medium straw in color. It swans out with showy scents of lemon tart, honey-drizzled white peaches, and apple sauce with hints of yuzu, coriander seed, and lemon verbena tea. The palate is intense and lively, with bold stone fruit flavors and a long, honey-laced finish.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

93

byJane Ansonthe5/16/2023

Intense and concentrated, orange blossom, truffle, citrus confit, marmalade, a luscious Rieussec from a vintage where Sauternes had to be patient for the noble rot to arrive. Estate director Jean de Roquefeuille has left Rieussec, and is now at Domaine d'Aussières (also DBR Lafite) in the Languedoc, with the Sauternes property now headed up by Mathieu Crosnier. New bottle shape also since the (excellent quality) 2019 vintage.

matthewjukes.com

18,5

byMatthew Jukesthe5/15/2023

Bettane & Desseauve

96

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/10/2023

On n’a pas recherché ici le maximum de liqueur mais il y en a suffisamment pour montrer le cru à son meilleur, frais, onctueux, subtil, parti pour une longue vie.