Château Rieussec Sauternes 2010 - 1er Cru Classé

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 while retaining its freshness, thanks to exemplary technical mastery in bottling. The remarkable aging potential of the 1988, 1989, and 1990 vintages should silence any criticism. The second wine, Carmes, avoids sensationalism and offers all the richness one expects from this type of soil, with a more rapid development in the bottle.

In 1889, Prince Galitzine, president of the wine section at the World’s Fair, organized an informal competition between a great Australian wine and a Rieussec. The conclusion, according to the columnist for *Le Temps*, was an undisputed victory for the Sauternes, as several “centuries of civilization and culture were revealed in the perfect harmony of all its elements.” This observation could equally apply to this wine, which offers a remarkable aromatic expression that is constantly evolving, from the bouquet to the finish: fresh grapes, broom, candied orange peel, exotic fruits, angelica, and ginger; tasting it becomes a journey around the world of flavors. Airy and light on the palate at first, the wine then builds in intensity; the body asserts itself, becoming full-bodied, both dense and very fresh, before lingering in a long, fruity, and spicy finish. A great Sauternes of remarkable purity and balance.

Formerly part of the Carmelite convent of Langon, Château Rieussec is situated on high ground west of the town of Fargues, of which it is the only Premier Cru. Its square tower overlooks a gravelly ridge at the same elevation as its immediate neighbor, Yquem. Its well-established reputation earned it the status of Premier Cru Classé in 1855. Numerous owners succeeded one another at the estate 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.

A Premier Cru Classé located in the town 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 been disappointing in high-yield vintages, the quality has been refined in more recent vintages. The 2013 and 2015 vintages vigorously express a fresher, more delicate style. This is a trend worth following closely.

Well-structured and firm, very spicy, with a fresh acidity reminiscent of pineapple. Concentrated and rich in botrytis. — Roger Voss

The 2010 Rieussec is slightly more reserved on the nose. Very precise, it reveals aromas of almond, saffron, orange zest, and dried honey that gain intensity with aeration. The palate, with lovely fullness, opens with a harmonious attack. Impressively deep, with delicate notes of vanilla from the new oak, it lingers long and with purity on the finish. A high-quality Sauternes. Superb. Tasted blind during a horizontal tasting of 10-year-old Bordeaux wines at Farr Vintners. 2023–2045

I particularly appreciate the spicy, botrytized character of this wine, with its notes of dried apricots and tropical fruits. Full-bodied and moderately sweet, it finishes with a long, intense aftertaste. It is a very complex wine—a delicious wine from this vintage.

Rieussec 2010 offers a captivating nose of marmalade, candied orange peel, and honey. On the palate, the fruit exhibits remarkable purity despite the intense sugar levels and full-bodied richness. This is a magnificent and generous Sauternes, with great depth, beautiful length, and incredible layers of flavor.