Rayne-Vigneau Sauternes 2001 375ml

90-93 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): " Pale, bright straw-yellow. Highly aromatic nose combines pit fruits, pineapple, rose petal, menthol and vanillin oak. Penetrating, intensely flavored and precise, with sweet flavors leavened by solid acidity. Very young, firm-edged wine with excellent balance. The best young Rayne-Vigneau I've sampled in a long time. (Jul/Aug 2003)"

92+ points Neal Martin (Vinous): "The 2001 Château de Rayne Vigneau has quite an intense nose of orange cordial, pineapple, saffron and almond scents, not as delineated as its its peers, yet nicely focused. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, viscous and tangy, offering flavors of marmalade and quince. Perhaps it needs a little more nerve on the finish, but it feels sustained in the mouth. Give this a little more time because it is evolving the sophistication that was missing in its youth. Drink: 2023-2040. (Sep 2021)"

92 points Richard Jennings: "Light medium golden yellow color; tart apricot, botrytis, creme brulee nose; juicy, creamy textured, baked pear, tart apricot palate; long finish. (10/16/11)"

18/20 points Margaret Rand (The World of Fine Wine): "(13.5%) Roasted and complex, spicy, mineral, very good. Structured, with lots of finesse. A very terroir wine, detailed, subtle. Powerful, too, with lots of depth and layers of flavor. Lovely balance, very fine. (Issue 34; 2011)"