Composed of 75% S?millon and 25% Sauvignon Blanc, the pale lemon-gold colored 2018 Rieussec slowly unfurls to offer fragrant orange blossoms, honeycomb and candied ginger scents with a core of lemon marmalade, baked pears and spice cake, plus a hint of preserved citrus peel. The palate is light on its feet with zippy freshness lifting the well-knit sweetness, finishing long with a skip in its step. If not a truly profound vintage for this label, it is a beautifully elegant and bright expression.

"Rieussec was hit by hail on the 15th of July," says Eric Kohler. "For Sauternes, the botrytis began very late. It was very difficult for the botrytis to begin. There was not so much sugar this year and not so much botrytis. This is not as great a year as 2015 or 2017." Harvest at Rieussec began on October 10 and ended on October 31. Blended of 75% S?millon and 25% Sauvignon Blanc, the pale lemon-gold colored 2018 Rieussec reveals delicate scents of lemon drops, pear tart, marzipan and crushed stones over a core of orange blossoms, white peaches and lime leaves. The palate has a quiet intensity of an array of citrus and savory layers with amazing freshness, finishing with great length and depth.