A monumental effort, the 2001 Rieussec boasts a light to medium gold color in addition to a fabulous perfume of honeysuckle, smoky oak, caramelized tropical fruits, creme brulee, and Grand Marnier. The wine is massive and full-bodied yet neither over the top nor heavy because of good acidity. With intense botrytis as well as a 70-75-second finish, this amazing Sauternes will be its apogee between 2010-2035.

Robert Parker (Wine Advocate #153, Jun 2004)

The Château Rieussec 2001 has a deep golden colour. The bouquet offers marmalade, quince jus and yellow flowers. It has fine definition, if not the killer precision of a top vintage, though the oak appears to have been assimilated since I last tasted it. There is something almost Germanic here, like a Beerenauselese! The palate is unctuous on the entry with kumquat, quince and barley sugar, almost Barsac-like in style leading to an unctuous finish that is long in the mouth, but does not quite have the detail and delineation of the 2005 tasted blind alongside.

– eRobertParker.com, Jun 2015