Winery: Château Rieussec

The wines from Château Rieussec:

Bordeaux Contrôlée
Château Rieussec R
A white wine made from a Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend
The “R” de Rieussec is produced on the Château Rieussec estate, a 1st growth Sauternes wine. Harvesting in Rieussec starts with the plots which do not have the required amount of botrytisation and by sorting the healthy grapes on the other plots. Fermentation takes place for 20% in new barrels. This technique gives the wine great potential for ageing, while preserving its freshness and the grapes’ fruity essence. Grape varieties: Sémillon, Sauvignon. Average annual production: Limited quantities of around 2,000 to 3,000.
For all vintages of Château Rieussec R we have 8 offers and 3 ratings on record with an average of 83/100 points.
Sauternes
Château Rieussec
A white sweet/dessert wine made from a Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend
For several generations, Château Rieussec has been a leading name in Sauternes wines. As early as 1868, Charles Cocks remarked that “Beyond any of the others, Rieussec produces wines that are very similar to Yquem wines”. Grape varieties: Sémillon 90 - 95%, Muscadelle and Sauvignon 5-10%. Length of ageing in oak barrels: 18 to 26 months depending on the year, including 55% in new barrels. Average annual production: Varies a great deal depending on the vintage, but on average is 6,000 cases per year (but no production in 1993 and low production in 2000 with just 3,000 cases).
For all vintages of Château Rieussec we have 1410 offers and 49 ratings on record with an average of 91/100 points.
Château Rieussec Carmes de Rieussec
A red wine made from a Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend
The second wine of Château Rieussec is selected according to the same standards as the first wine. Its constant feature is centred on a fine aromatic structure dominated by citrus aromas. The name, Carmes de Rieussec, relates to the monks of the Carmes de Langon, who were owners of the Rieussec estate in the 18th century. Grape varieties: Sémillon 80-90% - Sauvignon and Muscadelle 10-20%. Ageing: 18 months in barrels. Average annual production: Variable according to the vintage, on average 6000 cases.
For all vintages of Château Rieussec Carmes de Rieussec we have 457 offers and 1 rating on record with an average of 88/100 points.

The vineyard

One of the largest Sauternes properties

The Château Rieussec vineyard extends from the border of Fargues and Sauternes, adjacent to Château d’Yquem on the east. The vineyard covers 92 hectares of gravel interspersed with lime.

The emblematic grape variety of the Sauternes, Sémillon dominates (90%), followed by Sauvignon (7%) and Muscadelle (3%). Traditional techniques from Sauternes are used and the harvests are done by selective pickings depending on the ripeness of the grapes and evolution of botrytis cinerea (noble rot). They last for 6 to 8 weeks from September to November.

Production is low and left in the hands on Mother Nature. The traditional reference is that a single vine should produce a bottle of wine. Here, though, a single vine produces about a glass of wine!

The estate is managed by Charles Chevallier, Technical Director of the Domaines, together with Frédéric Magniez, Estate Manager.