1988 Chateau Rieussec Premier Cru Classe

Although the 1988 received the highest marks of the 1988, 1989 and 1990 vintages, it remains a very backward wine. Full-bodied and powerful, extremely rich and dense, it may be the least evolved 1988. The nose offers enticing coconut, orange, vanilla, and honeyed scents. The flavors are highly extracted. The wine's acidity and youthfulness suggest this wine needs another 5-10 years of cellaring. It should keep for 30 years. Wine Advocate.April, 1995

Tasted in Sauternes with Charles Chevalier, the 1988 Rieussec is a vintage that Chevalier himself claimed to be his favorite. I can understand why. It has an unerringly youthful bouquet with vibrant citrus fruit, wild honey, mandarin and mineral scents, a bouquet that seems to have electricity flowing through it. The same can be said for the palate that is full of tension and vigor, almost clinical in terms of focus with alluring viscosity and wonderful length. This bowled me over with its charm and breeding. Hunt a bottle down and share with your best friends—this is a superlative Rieussec, one of the best produced. Tasted April 2016. Jan 2017, www.robertparker.com

Deep, oaky aromas of honey, coconut, vanilla and creme brulee Sweet and plump in the mouth; the flavors of coconut and tropical fruit are initially dominated by spicy oak notes. Finishes with slight heat (the alcohol is a relatively high 14.7%) but also excellent persistence of flavor. This showed more development of flavor as it opened in the glass.