The second wine of Chateau Rieussec Carmes de Rieussec is selected according to the same standards as the first wine. Its constant feature is centred on a fine aromatic structure dominated by citrus aromas. The name, Carmes de Rieussec, relates to the monks of the Carmes de Langon, who were owners of the Rieussec estate in the 18th century.

A blend of Semillon 85%, Sauvignon Blanc 10% and a little Muscadelle 5% this wine has spent 18 months in barrel. This is an intense golden yellow coloured wine that is showing preserved fruit on the nose, with hints of apricot. The nose develops on the palate as the range of flavours deliver a harmonious well-rounded first impression. In the 18th century, the Rieussec estate belonged to the Carmes de Langon monks. The confiscation of the estate during the revolution led to its public sale around 1790 as an 'object of national heritage' to Mr. Marheilhac, the period’s owner of Château La Louvière at Leognan.

For the 1855 classification, M. Mayne was the owner of the estate. The quality of the Rieussec soil earned its ranking as a first growth Sauternes and Barsac. After that date, Rieussec’s history involves many change of owners. Acquired by Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) in 1984 the estate then included 110 hectares of which 68 hectares were vineyards. To enhance Chateau Rieussec’s potential, stern measures were implemented, including meticulous sorting of seeds and fermenting in barrels, which provides a superior selection for blending fine wines as well as a new chai being built to extend ageing in barrels. Winery Notes

Sauternes is the cradle of France’s finest sweeties and its enchanting 07s are just starting to land. It hurts to shell out more than $100 for a half bot of dessert wine, but Rieussec’s second label is one of the best value alternatives. Classic lighter style, layered with honey and succulent stone fruits. $37 (375mL) Drink 2012-2017; 93 points; Tyson Stelzer; Wine Taste

The second wine of Chateau Rieussec Carmes de Rieussec is selected according to the same standards as the first wine. Its constant feature is centred on a fine aromatic structure dominated by citrus aromas. The name, Carmes de Rieussec, relates to the monks of the Carmes de Langon, who were owners of the Rieussec estate in the 18th century.

A blend of Semillon 85%, Sauvignon Blanc 10% and a little Muscadelle 5% this wine has spent 18 months in barrel. This is an intense golden yellow coloured wine that is showing preserved fruit on the nose, with hints of apricot. The nose develops on the palate as the range of flavours deliver a harmonious well-rounded first impression. In the 18th century, the Rieussec estate belonged to the Carmes de Langon monks. The confiscation of the estate during the revolution led to its public sale around 1790 as an 'object of national heritage' to Mr. Marheilhac, the period’s owner of Château La Louvière at Leognan.

For the 1855 classification, M. Mayne was the owner of the estate. The quality of the Rieussec soil earned its ranking as a first growth Sauternes and Barsac. After that date, Rieussec’s history involves many change of owners. Acquired by Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) in 1984 the estate then included 110 hectares of which 68 hectares were vineyards. To enhance Chateau Rieussec’s potential, stern measures were implemented, including meticulous sorting of seeds and fermenting in barrels, which provides a superior selection for blending fine wines as well as a new chai being built to extend ageing in barrels. Winery Notes

This is not the first label Rieussec nor is it Chateau D'Yquem, what it is though is the best value in Sauternes I have come across in my years in the industry. A youthful pale yellow in colour, the nose shows marmalade, vanilla and tropical fruit aromas. In the mouth the wine has a soft acidity with characters of citrus, apricot and ever present botrytis coming to the fore and lingering for some time. It finishes with a lovely acidity which balances the ripe fruit. This is always great value. Excellent BW; WineStar©

This property has been producing some outstanding wines in recent vintages. The sample was cloudy and not showing much on the nose, but there is a lot of concentration and candied fruit. Not as fresh as expected. Should move up. 4 stars. Score: 17 Decanter Magazine, Decanter.com
 
The racy nose is packed with fragrant fruit citrus backed by candied peel. The richness of the fruit gives weight and depth on the palate, fleshy peach is underpinned by apricot and given richness by the candied orange peel. The sweetness is balanced by freshness all adding to the complexity. 2016-2035. Score: 90-95 Derek Smedley MW
 
Mid honeyed gold. Strong botrytis. Massive richness, real tingle factor and excitement. Long and very thorough and intriguing. Lots of development still to come. Still chewy. Energetic. Long Score: 18.5 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com
 
Thick and concentrated, with loads of tropical fruit, such as mango and papaya. Full, lively and spicy, with plenty of botrytis and a long finish. Wonderful potential. 91-94 Score: 91-94 James Suckling, WineSpectator.com
 
A fresh, lively, zest nose with touches of honey, frangipane and mango. The palate is very fresh and well-defined, viscous honeyed fruits, vibrant acidity and so much freshness on the finish. Harmonious and sophisticated, this is a lovely Coutet with long-term potential. Sublime. Drink 2010-2030. Tasted April 2008 Score: 93-95 Wine Advocate

This property has been producing some outstanding wines in recent vintages. The sample was cloudy and not showing much on the nose, but there is a lot of concentration and candied fruit. Not as fresh as expected. Should move up. 4 stars. Score: 17 Decanter Magazine, Decanter.com
 
The racy nose is packed with fragrant fruit citrus backed by candied peel. The richness of the fruit gives weight and depth on the palate, fleshy peach is underpinned by apricot and given richness by the candied orange peel. The sweetness is balanced by freshness all adding to the complexity. 2016-2035. Score: 90-95 Derek Smedley MW
 
Mid honeyed gold. Strong botrytis. Massive richness, real tingle factor and excitement. Long and very thorough and intriguing. Lots of development still to come. Still chewy. Energetic. Long Score: 18.5 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com
 
Thick and concentrated, with loads of tropical fruit, such as mango and papaya. Full, lively and spicy, with plenty of botrytis and a long finish. Wonderful potential. 91-94 Score: 91-94 James Suckling, WineSpectator.com
 
A fresh, lively, zest nose with touches of honey, frangipane and mango. The palate is very fresh and well-defined, viscous honeyed fruits, vibrant acidity and so much freshness on the finish. Harmonious and sophisticated, this is a lovely Coutet with long-term potential. Sublime. Drink 2010-2030. Tasted April 2008 Score: 93-95 Wine Advocate

Lovers of this cru will not be disappointed. As usual the emphasis is on elegance and freshness rather than power. There is piercingly pure fruit and length, yet with fine concentration. It is still very much evolving but the breed comes through 2013 could go higher. 4 stars. Score: 17.5 Decanter Magazine, Decanter.com
 
Pale greenish gold. Floral, mineral notes with a strongly mineral streak - promising! Very exciting. Classic stuff with strong botrytis character and great richness yet lots of well integrated acidity. Quite long and neat. A throat warmer. Score: 18.5 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com
 
Intensely spicy, with lots of dried apricot, apple and pear character on the nose and palate. Full and rich, yet racy and lively. Shows balance and wonderful potential. 90 - 93 Score: 90-93 James Suckling, WineSpectator.com
 
The 2007 Doisy-Daene has an intense nose with heavily botrytized fruit with notes of peach, honeydew melon, apple-blossom and a touch of mango. The palate is medium-bodied, very well balanced with a fantastic sense of tension and nervosité. Notes of honey, peach, minerals, citrus lemon with a wonderfully focused finish that goes on and on. A really wonderful Barsac. Drink 2012-2040. Tasted April 2008 Score: 94-96 Wine Advocate

From being wildly unpredictable, this cru is now presenting wines of great originality and character. The nose has an extraordinary zesty orange flavour, concentration and freshness, and on the palate you can taste how concentrated it really is - yet so fresh and refined. A delightful wine in a different and original mould. 4 stars. Score: 17 Decanter Magazine, Decanter.com

Very pale and greenish. Cheesy and very open. No tension. Bright, quite vivid fruit on the palate. I can taste the oak more than fruit, which is a bit of a worry. Not sure about the élevage of what was clearly interesting fruit. Score: 15.5 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com
 
Clean and fruity, with apple, honey and light caramel character. Full-bodied, medium sweet, with a medium finish. 87-90. Score: 87-90 James Suckling, WineSpectator.com
 
This is lacking some cohesion on the nose - the vivacity that other Sauternes have demonstrated. The palate is better with simple marmalade tinged fruit, a touch of honey and lemon and a linear finish that lacks a little length. A capable Sauternes without ambition. Hopefully it will improve by bottle. Drink 2010-2018. Tasted April 2008 Score: 85-87 Wine Advocate

This is the second wine of Lafaurie Peyraguey, an exceptional Sauternes house, considered by Robert Parker to be one of the five or six finest domaines of the Appellation. Vinified by Georges Pauli, the wines have been an outstanding success since the 1980s on account of a tireless drive for improvement without compromise. Reducing the percentage of Sauvignon Blanc, ageing the wine in new oak barrels, and an ever-stricter selection has borne fruit – as well as the creation of a second wine, ‘La Chapelle de Lafaurie'.

A beautiful fresh tropical nose with hints of pineapple, marmalade and a touch of spice. In the mouth it is abundantly rich but some tight acidity on the back keeps all of the luscious sweetness in check as the flavours continue on a long finish. Won't last the decades its big brother is destined to but at this sort of price, it doesn't really matter either. Excellent wine, excellent value. Drink: Now- 2016. Quality: Excellent – BW; WineStar© May 2008

This superb, light to medium gold/green-hued Sauternes is a full-bodied, opulent, enormously endowed, moderately sweet offering with plenty of pineapple, peach, caramel, and smoky new oak characteristics. With great viscosity as well as richness, and good underlying acidity providing vibrancy and definition, it should be at its peak between 2008-2030. Wine Advocate # 153; Jun 2004 Robert Parker 96 points

Wine Advocate #146 (Apr 2003) Robert Parker (89-91) points  Drink 2005-2015. Dense, full-bodied, and primary, but revealing plenty of honeysuckle, candied citrus, and orange marmalade notes, this 2001 looks to be an outstanding effort. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2015.

The Le Tertre Du Lys D'Or Cuvee d'Exception Sauternes first came to prominence in this country more than three years ago following a James Halliday article in The Weekend Australian in which he referred to the 2001 vintage as “all the quality and flavour one might expect from a second label of Chateau d'Yquem, if such a thing existed”. At the time, I wrote the following in The WineStar Journal;

At a time when many are contemplating a purchase in the much hyped 2005 Bordeaux En-Primeur, it is refreshing to be able to offer this sort of value to really set the cat amongst the pigeons. This was featured, almost apologetically in a recent Journal and not surprisingly sold out in less than 3 days. The Le Tertre du Lys D’or is from the magnificent 2001 vintage in Sauternes, and if you think 2005 Bordeaux has been hyped, the ‘stickies’ out of 2001 are commanding insane prices (d'Yquem 2001 is now over $1000 retail).

So what do you do if you come across a 2001 Sauterne, available for about the same price as Australia's leading examples and described by James Halliday as having "all the quality and flavour one might expect from a second label of Chateau d'Yquem, if such a thing existed…. a beautiful mini-version of a great sauterne from a great vintage, with beautiful balance, and while it will change and become more complex during the next 10 to 20 years, it is delicious right now”? You buy! Not just that, I recommend doing it quickly as even though we have purchased the remaining stocks available in Australia, such offers on real Sauternes come along very rarely and are highly sought after.

And buy people – and hopefully you – did. Now fast forward to the next great Sauternes vintage in 2005 and Le Tertre Du Lys D'Or Cuvee d'Exception 375ml 2005 has landed on our shores and it is at least as good as the 2001. A lighter, brighter golden colour to its predecessor it also shows very little development at this stage of its life. The nose has all the unmistakable nuances of quality Sauternes with fresh flowers, pear, citrus and tropical notes. In the mouth it is beautifully textured. I described the 2001 as coming off a lot 'thicker' than it looks and it must be a house style as this is right in that groove. Massive richness it is a concoction of sweet fruit characters that linger for quite a while with a cut of acidity on the end. I'm happy to drink these now but suggest improvement over the next decade at least. An excellent wine and somewhat absurd to think one can have real Sauternes for the same, if not less money that imitation styles the world over.

Sauternes. Outside of Ch d’Yquem, Rieussec is really the leading estate in the region, in terms of consistently producing excellent wines that also offer great value for money in an opulent Sauternes style. Climens and Latour Blanche also deserve mentions, Rieussec tends to offer better value than Climens (which in any case is a very different style), and has a more consistent strike rate than Latour Blanche, although the 2001 Latour Blanche is an incredibly delicious and concentrated example. Nevertheless, a good review from the Wine Spectator - “Full-bodied, with a lovely intensity and bright acidity. Long and elegant. The palate builds on the finish.” JR 16.5 WS 92-94

Sauternes. Outside of Ch d’Yquem, Rieussec is really the leading estate in the region, in terms of consistently producing excellent wines that also offer great value for money in an opulent Sauternes style. Climens and Latour Blanche also deserve mentions, Rieussec tends to offer better value than Climens (which in any case is a very different style), and has a more consistent strike rate than Latour Blanche, although the 2001 Latour Blanche is an incredibly delicious and concentrated example. Nevertheless, a good review from the Wine Spectator - “Full-bodied, with a lovely intensity and bright acidity. Long and elegant. The palate builds on the finish.” JR 16.5 WS 92-94

Loads of spicy honey and apple character. Full-bodied, medium-sweet, with a solid core of fruit and lots of botrytis character. Very racy. Not the 2001 but superb. Wine Spectator # web (3/29/2006) : 95-100/100 points

96 points; No tasting note given; Robert Parker

For several years Rieussec has been consistently among the top three or four wines in the district and this is no exception. The 2007 shows terrific power, combined with freshness and length. This has to be a great bottle. Score: 19 David Peppercorn MW, Decanter.com
 
Rich apricot and fleshy peach are backed by candied peel, orange and lemon giving both depth and complexity to the nose. There is a fleshy richness to the lush fruit, the candied sweetness well balanced by mid freshness, lovely, full of fragrance. Score: 89-95 Derek Smedley MW
 
Sweet, vaguely sticky nose. Certainly impressive for the sugar level! And there’s an attractive savoury undertow that stops it being sickly. Lots there. Reverberates. Long. Very long. It has that thing that a good Condrieu has: a subtext. Score: 19 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com
 
Balanced and very spicy, with almond paste and apricot. Full-bodied, medium sweet, with a long, fruity, tangy finish. Layered and stylish. 93-96. Score: 93-96 James Suckling, WineSpectator.com
 
Score: 92-94 Wine Advocate

Sauternes. Loads of pear and honey character follow through to a full-bodied palate, with lots of spicy character and a sweet, long finish. Very, very spicy on the finish. Better than 2003, but will it ultimately be better than 2001. 95-100 points Wine Spectator

A wine marked by its purity, freshness and honeyed, unctuous flavour as well as searing freshness and length. It has the breed of a great wine. 5 stars. Score: 19 Decanter Magazine, Decanter.com

A racy mix of lime and tropical fruits give a lovely fragrance on the nose. The palate has lots of charm, floral at the start with lush apricot, peach and candied peel fleshing out the middle. There is weight to the finish, the sweetness beautifully balanced by lemon peel. Score: 89-93 Derek Smedley MW
 
Green gold. Muted, almost dry nose. Very sweet start though a little on the hot barley sugar side rather than wonderfully fine and nuanced. A bit sugary. Astringent finish but massive sugar levels even if not fine. Chewy end. Gone for bust! Not quite as fine at this stage as I have come to expect of this property. Score: 17.5 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com
 
Solid baby sticky, with a core of apple pie, honey and spicy fruit on the palate. Medium- to full-bodied, with medium sweetness and a lively finish. 92-95. Score: 92-96 James Suckling, WineSpectator.com
 
(90% semillon with 10% sauvignon blanc) Bright yellow-gold. Subdued but powerful nose offers fresh stone fruits, grapefruit zest, ginger and honey, all lifted by a floral topnote. Lush, thick and honeyed, but with superb acidity framing the flavors of mandarin orange, pineapple, honey and chalk. Finishes very long and subtle, with a saline nuance and terrific fruit penetration. A good bit of the estate's sauvignon blanc went into the dry S de Suduiraut in '07, noted managing director Christian Seely. Score: 92-95 Stephen Tanzer, Intl. Wine Cellar
 
From a blend made one month ago (in two barrels.) This has a well-defined nose, complex with touches of clear honey, acacia, hints of orange-blossom. Very well focused on the palate, with superb marriage of nervosité (from the first two tries) and the botrytis concentration of the later tries. Citrus fruits, a touch of orange zest towards the finish. Not a rich, weighty, viscous Suduiraut, this is more about tension and vibrancy. An understated Suduiraut for the vintage but well-crafted. Drink 2010-2030. Tasted April 2008. Score: 91-93 Wine Advocate