Andrew Cullimore

9.4

No formal notes . Pretty deep Amber , copper colour . Intense marmalade , saffron , creme caramel . Rich on the palate with rich marmalade , saffron notes . Good acidity , but rich. Good length . This is drinkable now and shows quite an advanced colour , though due to its richness will probably carry on delivering for another 20 years , perhaps longer .

This was a rather fascinating evening put together by our incredibly generous host. All 2007 reds were served blind in two flights: 1st Mouton, Haut Brion, Cheval Blanc , La Mission Haut Brion then Latour , Lafite , Petrus and Margaux . Overall the wines showed well , and were mostly enjoyable to drink now , though there is no rush . This somewhat maligned vintage can give a lot of enjoyment in the right environment, I certainly wouldn’t hold back from opening or purchasing any of these wines . They mostly show good density of fruit , personality and elegance , with good freshness. These are not powerful wines , and at times perhaps the fruit can be a little cooler or greener but I was pleasantly surprised by the way they performed , just goes to show you should never write off a vintage without trying the wines ! — 7 days ago

Aaron Hamrock

9.9

This may be the best d’yquem I have tasted. — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Located opposite the Chateau d'Yquem, the Rabaud-Promis castle, on the hill Rabaud since the late eighteenth century. Sweet stone fruit aromas with hints of honey. On the palate full flavors of orange and peach with notes of citrus notes adding a bit of spice. Balanced acidity, rich finish ending with botrytis-like character. Very nice! — 7 years ago

DCH

9.5

First time trying Cd’Y. A real treat! — 2 months ago

Ira Schwartz

9.4

There’s nothing like the excitement of head to head competition. Unfortunately, that excitement ends quickly when one of the participants has to withdraw. The 2013 was extremely advanced with a heavy petrol nose. The 2014 on the other hand was a great example of what this wine should be. A clean nose of grapefruit and grass but not in that overbearing way that can be the case with SB. Once in the mouth SB steps aside and the Semillon becomes the “boss”. Apricot and pears pop up and the initial dose of mouth watering acidity gives way to a wonderful roundness that allows for a long finish. — 2 months ago

with Stephen

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Dessert last night was a layered, guava, mango, raspberry, passion fruit cheesecake. I did a dual pair with 14 Kobalt Sauvignon Blanc and this 83 Rieussec Sauternes. The 83 won hands down.

Look at that color! 👀 The older they are, the darker they get. I’ve seen one nearly black, a 1928 D'yquem a number of years back. A good producer/vintage of Sauternes will out live almost anyone’s life span properly stored. This 35 year old 375ml was no exception to that rule.

The nose reveals; brown sugar, molasses, dried; pineapple, apricots, peaches, nectarines, orange citrus, touch of light colored citrus’s, marmalade, mixed nuts with skin, toffee, caramel, tea notes, soft limestone minerals, gravel with pebbles and dark withering flowers/lilies.

The body is full, rich and gorgeous. The palate is nicely integrated and complex. The fruits are a combination of candies and dried. Brown sugar, raw sugar cane, molasses, dried; pineapple, apricots, peaches, nectarines, mango, prunes & dates. Candied, lemon, lime & grapefruit. Orange citrus, marmalade, honeycomb, mixed nuts with skin, toffee, caramel, Lipton tea notes, soft limestone minerals, gravel with pebbles and dark withering flowers, yellow & orange lilies. The acidity is like a rain shower and the elegant, rich, well balanced and polished finish lingers on your palate and dances mentally in your brain. There is also granulated sugar on the palate. Huge RS!

Producer notes...Rieussec is aged in an average of 50% new, French oak barrels for 18 to 24 months, depending on the character of the vintage. Chateau Rieussec is owned by the Lafite side of the Rothschild family and all their used oak barrels come from Chateau Lafite.

Photos of; Chateau Rieussec, grapes awaiting the onset of botrytis, their roughly 25-30 year Estate vines and their barrel room. — 6 years ago

Mario Zillner

9.6

Delicious. Replacement for the Château d'Yquem Sauternes previously on the Reserve Tasting Menu; not mad at this South African straw wine, however, as the 2022 vintage was served as the finale for our meal at Da Terra in London as well. Top marks! — a month ago

Alexandre Pagliano

8.9

Have a look at my notes on the # 1. Here is same quality. Good stuff. — 3 years ago

with Adriana

Ron Siegel

9.6

Great way to finish! Drinking much younger than its age with a golden yellow color. — 6 years ago

peter taylor

10

Still drinking the 89 while storing at temps rainging from 50 to 90 degrees F for the last 22 years. 2 bottles left. Not one bottle in all thes years was less than perfect. I would rate it as a 98.5, but, i am no expert. I have had great assulase, tokaji aszu and chateau d'Yquem but, for the price i paid (20$/bottle), it far exceeds the others. It is now a medium amber color complex fruity tones great finish. I feel sad when the last drop leaves my teast buds. I also have a few of the 90's to us as a comparison. They are a distant second. — 7 years ago