The winery
Château Rieussec
Premier Grand Cru Classé of Sauternes, located in Fargues (Gironde). Renowned for sweet white wines produced from grapes affected by Botrytis and owned by the Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite).
- Sauternes (Graves, Bordeaux) · Francia
- 3 products
The story
The estate's modern origins date back to the 18th century, when the property belonged to the Carmelitani di Langon; it was classified as a Premier Grand Cru in the 1855 Bordeaux classification. Over the centuries ownership passed through various hands until it was acquired by Domaines Barons de Rothschild in 1984. After the acquisition the estate invested in a new winery and intensified grape selection to favour quality over quantity. The 2001 vintage of Château Rieussec was also chosen as Wine Spectator's "Wine of the Year" in 2004.
Production philosophy
Strong emphasis on manual grape selection and aging in wood. The approach prioritizes care of each individual lot and precision in blending to express the Sauternes terroir, with a quality policy also reflected in the choice of extended aging in barriques.
Terroir and vineyards
Situated between Fargues and Sauternes, the vineyard overlooks the confluence of the Ciron and Garonne rivers; the soils are described as gravelly-sandy deposits with clay components and limestone outcrops. The property borders renowned areas nearby, such as Château d'Yquem.
Awards and recognition
Château Rieussec 2001: Wine Spectator "Wine of the Year".
Characteristics
- Grape varieties
- Sémillon
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Muscadelle
- Hectares
- 85.0
- Bottles per year
- 50000
What makes it distinctive
- Classification: Premier Grand Cru Classé
- Owned by: Domaines Barons de Rothschild since 1984
- Main grape varieties: Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle
- Second wine: Carmes de Rieussec
- Average reported production: approximately 50,000 bottles
