Chateau Rieussec 1er Cru Classé Sauternes is a luxurious and exquisite dessert wine from the Bordeaux region of France. With a deep golden colour, this wine is crafted from a blend of Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle grapes that grow on vineyards with sandy and gravel soils. The winery boasts of a rich history that dates back to the 18th century and was classified as a first growth Sauternes estate in 1855. This wine exudes complex aromas of honey, dried apricots, and vanilla with a smooth, full-bodied palate featuring notes of caramel, toasted nuts, and orange peel. Its rich and luscious taste makes it an excellent pairing with fruit-based desserts, blue cheese, or foie gras. Overall, Chateau Rieussec is a must-try wine for wine enthusiasts looking for luxurious, sweet dessert wines.

Tasting Notes

Probably the biggest and most concentrated Sauternes of 2016, without being the sweetest or most viscous - vitally. Huge amounts of dry extract, earth and woody spice notes of licquorice, vanilla and spice, mixed with apricot jam and truffle in the background

About the Winery

The history of Chateau Rieussec begins in the 18th century. During that time, the estate was under the ownership of Carmelite monks in the commune of Langon in France. In 1790, the plot got subjected to public sale. It ensued at the time of the revolution and due to confiscation of the estate. Finally, the winery got acquired by Mr. Marheilhac. At that time, he was the owner of Château La Louvière in the commune of Léognan.

M. Mayne became the owner of the land for the classification that took place in 1855. After that, Chateau Rieussec experienced multiple changes of proprietors. In 1984, Domaines Barons de Rothschild obtained the estate with its 110 hectares of land. Out of them, 60 hectares remained dedicated to growing and cultivating grapevines. Furthermore, numerous rigorous measures got incorporated. It entailed careful sorting and separation of grapes. Fermentation using barrels was another applied method. It allowed for a better taste and aroma of the produced wines.

The year 2000 saw further changes and modernization of Chateau Rieussec. It included the construction and development of a new fermentation room and the cellar renovation. The latter was where the grapes got left to mature. The makeover of the pressing areas and reception were two more alterations done.

Today, the vineyards owned by Chateau Rieussec extend over 93 hectares. They include sandy-clay soil that has a gravel-like texture. Additionally, the microclimate of the region is highly beneficial for the growth of most noble grape varieties. The winery uses conventional Sauternes techniques in the fields. The harvest of the matured grapes gets done selectively. It depends on the colour, texture, and plumpness of the fruit. Chateau Rieussec works with a low production to focus on each bottle of wine it develops. It ensures their high quality and standard.

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