Chateau Rieussec Sauternes Premier Grand Cru Classé 2022 / 14% / 0.75 L

Château Rieussec is one of the great estates of Sauternes, neighboring Château d’Yquem and situated on the border between the municipalities of Sauternes and Fargues, where the autumn mists from the Ciron River foster the growth of noble rot (Botrytis)..The estate was founded by the Carmelites; after the French Revolution, it passed into private hands, and since 1984.It is owned by Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite), which has led to the modernization of the vineyard and winery, as well as a significant improvement in quality.Vineyards (approx..(85 ha) grow on a mixture of gravel, sand, and clay, on some of the highest elevations in the appellation, which gives the wines energy and purity.An interesting feature is the new opaque bottle made of recycled glass (PCR), introduced starting with the 2022 vintage, which features minimalist labeling—the label simply reads “Rieussec,” without the word “Sauternes.”.The harvest is traditionally carried out in multiple passes (tries), exclusively by hand, to select the bunches most beautifully covered with noble rot.

The 2022 vintage is a blend of Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc (approx..93%/7%) and in the glass, it showcases the style of a modern Sauternes: generous yet fresh, with distinct acidity.Fermentation took place in oak barrels—the Semillon in new barrels and the Sauvignon Blanc in one-year-old barrels—and the wine then aged for 18 months in those same barrels.The wine is sweet (about.139 g/l residual sugar), but thanks to its excellent acidity, it retains its finesse and a long, ethereal finish.Critics gave the 2022 vintage very high ratings: Wine Advocate 95+ (Yohan Castaing, Jan. 2025), Vinous 93–95, The Wine Independent (L.Perrotti-Brown) 94–96, Decanter 93.

Appearance: golden-straw in color, brilliant, with thick legs indicating concentration.

Aroma: ripe peach and apricot in honey, lemon zest and yuzu, linden blossom, white flowers, notes of saffron and ginger, delicate vanilla, and marzipan almond with oak.

Taste: a creamy texture carried by lively, precise acidity; caramelized stone fruits, mandarin, a salty-mineral note, and a long, honey-citrus finish with excellent clarity.

Food pairings: classically with foie gras on brioche, apricot tart, or crème brûlée; also excellent with blue cheeses (Roquefort, Bleu d’Auvergne), spicy Asian dishes (duck à l’orange, shrimp in sweet-and-sour sauce), and—for contrast—simple oysters or lobster in clarified butter.