Château Rieussec 2016

After a highly contrasted 2015 vintage, the weather in 2016 was more even throughout the Gironde region. While quantity and quality were on the agenda, the vintage also provided some pleasant surprises.

The start of winter, very mild and wet, suggested an early budburst. Cool temperatures in February and March delayed budburst.

A cold and very rainy spring in June, at Pauillac as well as Pomerol, seemed to threaten flowering, which fortunately went well, at Rive gauche as well as Rive droite.

The summer was marked by drought. For two months, the vines had to endure severe water stress right up to the end of veraison. Longer than in 2015, this heat wave threatened to impact ripening, but to our great relief, rain finally fell on September 13. This enabled the vegetative cycle to be completed without a hitch. The weather remained warm and Sec until the end of the harvest for the reds, allowing them to reach perfect ripeness.

In Sauternes, botrytis did not develop until very late, with our best selections made between October 20 and 28. Vinification took place under ideal conditions, finally revealing the great potential of a vintage that had long hidden its game.

La robe is brilliant, with a beautiful golden yellow color.

The nose is fresh and powerful, with citrus notes, particularly reminiscent of mandarin peel. The perfectly blended oak completes the picture with toasty aromas.

On the palate, the attack is smooth, delicate, fresh and well-balanced. The wine's power then reveals itself, giving way to a sensation of fullness and great density. The lingering finish offers aromas of apricots Secs, caramel and bitter orange.