Rieussec

History of Château Rieussec

Château Rieussec possesses a fascinating history dating back to the 18th century when it was owned by the Carmelite monks of Langon. At that time, the estate's lands were already coveted for their exceptional quality. However, the French Revolution disrupted this era of monastic viticulture, and the estate was confiscated and sold as national property in 1790. It was then acquired by the Marheilhac family, who already owned Château La Louvière in Pessac Léognan.

The modern history of Rieussec is marked by a succession of owners. From 1846 to 1971, nine families succeeded one another, including the famous Gasqueton family, who also owned Château Calon-Ségur in Saint-Estèphe. In 1984, the estate was purchased by Domaines Barons de Rothschild(Lafite) with the firm intention of restoring its former glory. Since then, significant investments have been made, notably the construction of a new winery in 1989 and constant efforts to improve wine quality.

Under Rothschild management, Rieussec experienced a true renaissance, reaching its pinnacle with exceptional vintages such as 1988, 1989 and 1990. The following decade confirmed this trend with critically acclaimed wines, and in 2004, Château Rieussec 2001 was even elected "Wine of the Year" by the renowned Wine Spectator magazine.

Robert Parker awarded 98/100 to the 2009 vintage of Château Rieussec, while the 2005 and 2017 vintages followed closely behind with 97/100, confirming the consistency and quality of this Sauternes cru classé.

Terroirs and Vines of Château Rieussec

The vineyard of Château Rieussec extends over 85 hectares, making it one of the largest in the Sauternes appellation. Its parcels are ideally situated between the communes of Fargues and Sauternes, in immediate proximity to the legendary Château d'Yquem. This privileged geographical location places Rieussec at one of the highest points of the appellation, reaching 78 metres in altitude.

The estate's soils are mainly composed of sandy gravels (80%) and clay gravels (20%), characteristics that favour optimal grape maturation. The grape varieties are dominated by Sémillon, an emblematic grape of Sauternes wines, representing 90% of the vines. It is complemented by Sauvignon Blanc (7%) and Muscadelle (3%). These varieties benefit from the presence of botrytis cinerea, or noble rot, an essential fungus that concentrates sugars and gives Rieussec wines their unique aromatic richness.

The harvest at Rieussec is a meticulous operation that extends over six to eight weeks, from September to November. The grapes are hand-picked during several successive passes through the vines, selecting only the grapes affected by botrytis at the optimal moment. This rigour in harvesting is a guarantee of quality, although production often remains low, reflecting the volatility of weather conditions.

Vinification at Château Rieussec

Vinification at Château Rieussec is a meticulous process combining ancestral traditions and modern innovations to produce wines of great precision. After rigorous harvesting, the sorted grapes are individually pressed in a low-capacity pneumatic press to preserve the integrity of the aromas.

The must is then transferred to oak barrels, mostly new, from the Domaines' cooperage in Pauillac. It is during this barrel fermentation that the estate's expertise is fully expressed. Alcoholic fermentation is interrupted when the perfect balance between sugar and alcohol is achieved, allowing the preservation of all the wine's aromatic complexity.

The wine is then aged in barrels for 18 to 24 months, depending on the characteristics of the vintage. This ageing period allows the aromas to develop and the tannins to refine, giving Rieussec wines their incomparable structure and depth.

The cuvées of Château Rieussec

Château Rieussec produces several cuvées of sweet wines, each reflecting the richness and diversity of its exceptional terroir.

Château Rieussec

Classified as Premier Grand Cru in 1855, Château Rieussec is a reference sweet wine in Sauternes. A subtle blend of Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle, this wine presents intense aromas of candied fruits, citrus and sweet spices, accompanied by vanilla and woody notes from barrel ageing. Its unctuous texture and fine acidity give it excellent ageing potential. Château Rieussec is a wine for ageing par excellence, evolving over time to offer even deeper and more complex flavours.

Carmes de Rieussec

This second wine of the estate is produced from the same parcels as the grand vin. With a beautiful aromatic amplitude dominated by notes of citrus and white flowers, Carmes de Rieussec is distinguished by its finesse and elegance. It offers a more accessible version of Rieussec wines while maintaining the typicity of the terroir. Its name is a tribute to the Carmelite monks who were the first owners of the estate.

Château de Cosse

The third sweet wine cuvée of Rieussec, Château de Cosse offers a slightly lighter and more accessible profile, but maintains the richness and complexity characteristic of Sauternes wines. It is an ideal wine for younger drinking, although it can also age gracefully.

The best vintages of Sauternes and Barsac, two prestigious Bordeaux appellations, include exceptional years such as 1945, 1947, 1949, 1955, 1959, and 1967, recognised for their finesse and complexity. Among more recent vintages, notable years include 1975, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, as well as the legendary 2001. Sweet wine enthusiasts will also appreciate the years 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2013. Finally, the excellent climatic conditions of recent decades have produced memorable vintages in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. These wines offer unique aromatic richness and remarkable ageing potential.

Discover the exceptional treasures of the Grands Crus Classés of Sauternes and Barsac, where each estate tells a unique story of expertise and excellence. The prestigious Château d'Yquem, Premier Grand Cru Supérieur, embodies the quintessence of Sauternes. Among the Premiers Grands Crus Classés, explore the subtleties of Château Climens and Château Coutet in Barsac, as well as the wonders of Château Guiraud, Clos Haut-Peyraguey, Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, Château La Tour Blanche, Château Rabaud-Promis, Château de Rayne-Vigneau, Château Rieussec, Château Sigalas-Rabaud, and Château Suduiraut in Sauternes. Each estate invites you to dive into the enchanting world of dessert wines, combining aromatic richness, finesse, and elegance, for an unforgettable sensory experience.

Château Rieussec, with its sweet wines of rare intensity, embodies the excellence of the great growths of Sauternes. Thanks to its exceptional terroir, carefully selected grape varieties and rigorous viticultural practices, Rieussec produces wines that stand out for their aromatic complexity and extraordinary ageing potential. Whether to celebrate a special occasion or to enrich a collection cellar, Château Rieussec wines are an essential choice for any lover of great sweet wines.