Rieussec 2013

This is really mind blowing with super concentration of botrytis with dried mushroom, dried apricot and lemon. Lemon curd and sorbet. Full body, medium sweet, dense and layered. Goes on for minutes. A triumph. Drink or hold. Wow.

The grand vin from Chateau Rieussec is a blend of 95.5% Semillon and 4.5% Sauvignon Blanc picked between September 26 and October 31 over four tries through the vineyard (although some blocks took more than that). The nose is a little closed at the moment, with light honey and a touch of marmalade. The palate is very well-balanced, very tense and focused with superb mineralite toward the lightly viscous finish. This is a classy number, a pretty Rieussec in the making.

This has masses of bortrytis-spice character. It's full but balanced and intense, with loads of dried-fruit character and a spicy, intense finish. Superb. I like the sweet-savory character.