1978 Château Rieussec
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
The 1978 Rieussec is a vintage that I have only tasted once before, predating the acquisition by the Rothschild family by several years. It is a simple Sauternes that could best be described as "holding in there". A tangy of marmalade on the nose, mothballs and a touch of wax, it clearly lacks botrytis vis-à-vis other vintages. Like most Sauternes, although it is past its best, it continues to offer a modicum of drinking pleasure. Just don't expect unctuous fruit and razor-sharp precision. There is satisfying weight and a pleasant nuttiness towards the short finish, but at 38 years of age and from an average Sauternes vintage, it now offers little else. Tasted April 2016.
Critic scores
Average Score
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Neal Martin, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
A delicious home-made gelato was topped with truffles and served alongside a chocolate sauce, an odd combination that strangely worked far better than I would have expected. For fun, I brought along a bottle of the 1978 Château Rieussec. This was by no means a profound Rieussec, but it was fully mature and offered a nice counterpoint to the dessert and the homemade cookies that were served at the end of the meal.
About the producer
Ch. Rieussec is a top, Premier Cru Classé Sauternes estate that is part of the Domaines Barons de Rothschild stable, along with First Growth Ch. Lafite Rothschild.