Benchmark Wines by
Rieussec
The Winery
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.
Tasting Notes
- JS98
- This is big and powerful with a dense and very sweet palate. Full of botrytis and spices, from cinnamon to cloves to nutmeg. The finish is nutty with more spices and orange peel. Very stunning. Why wait? This has a slight dried grape character from the hot vintage. 151 grams of RS.
- WA96
- It is against my better judgment to taste the sweet wines of Barsac and Sauternes at such an early age, as I find they typically require at least 12 months to reveal the definition/delineation so essential in these creamy, creme brulee, and honeysuckle-flavored offerings. Nevertheless, because this vintage is so highly regarded, I tasted through most of the top estates. The 2003s appear to be somewhat in the style of the 1990s, with high levels of residual sugar (higher than 2001 for the most part) as well as botrytis, low acidity, and fat, full-bodied personalities. This region’s harvest began extremely early (early September), and was completely finished within three weeks. It does not appear that the nobleness and racy richness of the 2001 vintage will be found in the 2003s, but readers who like the big, flamboyant, over the top style of the 1990s will enjoy the 2003s even more than I did.
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