Château Rieussec

Château Rieussec is one of the most elite and largest producers in Sauternes, crafting luscious botrytis wines dripping with rich balanced flavors of honey, power, sweetness and acidity. The vineyard site was first established by Carmelite monks until the land was seized during the French Revolution and auctioned to the Marheilhac family, owners of Chateau La Louviere, in 1790. Purchased by the Rothschild family in 1985 it joined the powerful ranks of Lafite, Duhart-Milon, and I’Evangile and over doubled in size, developing from less than 100 acres to well over 200. The vineyard makeup is 90% Semillon, 7% Sauvignon Blanc, and 3% Muscadelle and only produces 5,000 cases annually. The reliance of botrytis calls for interesting harvest practices as it happens in stages over a 6 to 8 week period. 50% New French oak and 50% used Lafite Rothschild barrels age the wines for 30 months before the finished product is released. This top Sauternes will last for decades and impress every sweet oenophile.

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