Château Rieussec ‘R de Rieussec’ Bordeaux Blanc
WHY WE LOVE IT
- From Château Rieussec’s Sauternes estate, at the junction of Fargues and Sauternes, on sandy gravel and clay soils — a rare dry white made partly from vines that also produce the estate’s celebrated Sauternes dessert wine.
- A blend led by Sauvignon Blanc, rounded out with Sémillon for body and structure.
- Produced by a Premier Cru Classé Sauternes estate, offering a fresh, dry expression of a terroir best known for its opulent sweet wines.
Varietal: 56% Sauvignon Blanc, 44% Sémillon
Elaboration: The grapes are hand-harvested, with Sauvignon Blanc picked early for freshness and aromatic intensity, and Sémillon picked later for structure and body. The Sémillon ferments in new and used oak barrels while the Sauvignon Blanc ferments primarily in stainless steel, and the wine is aged on the lees for about six months before blending.
Tasting Notes: Subtle and fresh, with remarkable purity. Aromas of citrus, floral notes, and white-fleshed fruit build into a complex aromatic palette, enhanced by barrel aging. Rich yet bright on the palate, with a silky texture finishing on an elegant, pure note of saline minerality.
PRESS
2023 – 95 Falstaff | 92 Vinous
2024 – 93 James Suckling
2025 – 94-95 James Suckling
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
Château Rieussec, owned by Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite since 1984, is located in the Sauternes region, known for its sweet wines. The unique microclimate from nearby water bodies enhances the terroir and promotes noble rot, essential for the region’s signature dessert wines.
Originally owned by the Carmes de Langon monks in the 18th century, it received the Premier Cru Classé designation in 1855. Under Rothschild’s ownership, a new winery was built, and the 2001 vintage won “Wine of the Year” from Wine Spectator in 2004. Today, Château Rieussec vineyards are carefully managed, and their winemaking practices honor the Sauternes appellation.