2017 Château Rayne-Vigneau
Market price
Buying options
Tasting notes
Tasted blind. Mid gold colour. Waxy and broad on the nose, quite distinctive in the line-up. Full bodied and fleshy on the palate. This is a fat, decadent style with layers of marmalade, toasted spices and candied orange fruit. The finish is one of crystallised ginger and poached pear. (TP)
Critic scores
James Suckling
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
72% Sémillon, 28% Sauvignon Blanc, a 'hint' of Muscadelle. D eep coppery gold. Savoury nose and then very rich palate – massively sweet! Almost too sweet. Very different from the appetising Sauternes that so many properties are now aiming for. I would have liked a little more acidity. But it’s impressive for its rich ambition. (JR)
The 2017 Rayne-Vigneau has been on a roll of late and this latest release has bags of potential. It has a well-defined, quite intense bouquet with perfumed yellow plum and acacia honey aromas wafting from the glass. The palate is very fresh on the entry with crisp acidity. This feels very pure and full of tension, conveying wonderful energy on the honeyed finish with blood orange on the aftertaste. Superb.
Bommes. 75% Sémillon, 25% Sauvignon Blanc. RS 117 g/l. Plenty of spiced apricot on the nose. Power and rich viscosity on the palate. Finishes very sweet, a bit like boiled sweets (hard candy). Needs time to integrate. (JH)
About the producer
The 1855 classification placed Ch. de Rayne Vigneau just behind Ch. d’Yquem – also a nearby neighbour. Its 84-hectare vineyard sits in a single block on gravel mounds, overlooking the Ciron in Sauternes, and producing impressive sweet wines.