Château Rieussec
Bordeaux
Address:
Château Rieussec, Fargues, France
Website:
Winemaker:
First Vintage:
Eric Kohler
Accepts Visitors:
Special Request
PRESTIGE
4
Summary
Château Rieussec is a prestigious and historical winery that has firmly established itself as a beacon of quality and luxury in the world of sweet wines. Located in the Sauternes appellation of the Bordeaux region in France, Rieussec sits in close proximity to the famous Château d'Yquem, which helps to underscore the area's renowned reputation for producing the world's most exquisite dessert wines.
**The Estate:**
Founded in the 18th century, Château Rieussec's name is indicative of its terroir. Rieussec translates to "second marsh," hinting at the humid conditions ideal for the development of Botrytis cinerea, or noble rot. The estate spans approximately 93 hectares, with a perfect climatic and geological blend for growing the Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle grapes that compose its luscious wines.
**The Vineyards:**
Château Rieussec's vineyards are perched on the hillsides, benefiting from the excellent drainage provided by the slightly elevated terrain combined with a clayey-sandy topsoil. The Garonne river contributes to the microclimate, which enables the morning mists essential for noble rot, while the afternoon sun ensures the grapes are dried, concentrating their sugars and flavors.
**Winemaking Philosophy:**
With a commitment to traditional winemaking, the Château carefully handles its grapes, ensuring they are picked at the perfect moment when noble rot has reached its peak. The selective picking process can extend to several passes through the vineyard, ensuring only the best botrytized grapes are used. Following the harvest, the wine undergoes a meticulous fermentation process in oak barrels, where it is also aged, intensifying its complexity and character.
**The Wines:**
The hallmark of Château Rieussec is its exceptional Sauternes, known for its balance of sweetness and acidity, a luxurious golden hue, and a rich bouquet of flavors ranging from honey and apricot to almond and caramel, with a potential for aging that can span decades. The estate also produces a second wine, Carmes de Rieussec, which offers a more youthful and approachable take on the Sauternes style, as well as a dry white wine, "R" de Rieussec, which showcases the versatility of the terroir.
**Visitor Experience:**
Visitors to Château Rieussec are greeted with an aura of elegance and an acknowledgment of the estate's historical importance. The Château offers wine tours that allow guests to immerse themselves in the winemaking process, from the vineyards to the vat room and the cellars. Tastings are an integral part of the Château Rieussec experience, giving visitors the chance to savor its wines in the very environment they were created.
**Sustainability:**
A nod to modernity amidst its rich tradition, Château Rieussec has embraced sustainable viticulture practices, recognizing the importance of environmental stewardship. The estate works to maintain the biodiversity of the land and employs techniques to reduce its carbon footprint, ensuring that the Château's legacy continues to thrive for future generations.
Château Rieussec, with its remarkable dedication to the craft of sweet wine production, exemplifies the luxury, tradition, and quality one anticipates from a top-tier Sauternes producer. It stands not just as a winery, but as a symbol of the opulence and history that make the wines of Bordeaux sought after by connoisseurs around the globe.