Château Rieussec Sauternes 2007 - 1er Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About the wine:

A wine of great character, with a magnificent, full-bodied structure, fruit of exemplary purity, and a long finish—a classic of the vintage. Best enjoyed by 2037.

About the estate:

Rieussec, one of the jewels of the Rothschild estates, sometimes suffers unfairly from its distribution policy, which overshadows the nobility of its terroir—adjacent to Yquem—and the perfectionism of its production. The wine impresses with its power and richness without lacking freshness, thanks to exemplary technical mastery in bottling. The remarkable aging of the 1988, 1989, and 1990 vintages should silence any criticism. The second wine, Carmes, avoids any pretentiousness and offers all the richness expected from this type of soil, with a faster development in the bottle.

Decanter

About the wine:

For several years now, Rieussec has consistently ranked among the top three or four wines in the region, and this one is no exception. This 2007 vintage displays tremendous power, combined with freshness and a long finish. It is undoubtedly a great bottle.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

The château’s square tower overlooks a gravelly hilltop situated at the same elevation as its immediate neighbor, Yquem. Needless to say, the estate boasts an exceptional terroir; to be convinced, one need only taste this remarkable 2007. With a luminous color, it develops a delicate yet powerful bouquet blending ripe grapes, apricot, broom, and cinnamon with a hint of balsamic notes. Silky, round, and rich, the palate strikes a balance between sweetness and fresh notes of menthol. Pair with braised veal chuck with orange and star anise.

About the estate:

Formerly part of the Carmelite convent of Langon, Château Rieussec is situated on a hilltop west of the town of Fargues, of which it is the sole Premier Cru. Its square tower overlooks a gravelly hilltop situated at the same elevation as its immediate neighbor, Yquem. Its well-established reputation earned it the status of First Growth in 1855. Numerous owners succeeded one another at its helm until 1984, when it was purchased by Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite in Pauillac). This acquisition brought significant technical, financial, and human resources to this vast 90-hectare estate, 72 hectares of which are vineyards.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the estate:

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the estate:

A Premier Cru Classé located in the commune of Fargues, Rieussec has always displayed a distinctive character, with wines that are at times remarkably powerful and rich in sweetness. When the wines are young, the noble rot imparts aromas that are slightly less refined than elsewhere, but aging compensates for this shortcoming with lovely, sweet flavors. While Rieussec may have disappointed in high-yield vintages, the quality has been restored in more recent vintages. The 2013 and 2015 vintages vigorously express a fresher, more delicate style. A development worth watching closely.

Wine Enthusiast

About the wine:

Intense and richly sweet, this wine is also well-balanced, with notes of botrytis and the acidity of baked apple coming to the fore. This essential dryness gives the wine a dense core and aging potential. A high proportion of Sémillon adds weight to the finish. Best enjoyed starting in 2020. - Roger Voss

Jancis Robinson

About the wine:

A sweet, slightly syrupy nose. Impressive given the sugar content! And there’s a savory, appealing undertone that keeps it from being cloying. There’s a lot going on. Long. Very long. It has what a good Condrieu has: depth.