Wine Review: Chateau Rieussec Sauternes 2004

In our tasting today Master of Wine , David Allen, tastes a mature first growth wine from Sauternes, the 2004 Chateau Rieussec. A nicely mature example of a sweet Bordeaux that still has plenty of life left in it.
Château Rieussec is an estate located in Fargues, in the Sauternes appellation of Bordeaux. It makes sweet wines from a classic Bordeaux blend of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc, and was classified as a first growth in the 1855 Classification of Sauternes and Barsac, alongside the finest sweet white wines the region.
In the 18th Century, the estate was tended to by Carmelite monks before being confiscated in the French Revolution. The wine was classified as a Premier Grand Cru Classe in the 1855 classification of Sauternes & Barsac. After changing hands several times, in 1984 it came under the ownership of Barons de Rothschild (which owns Château Lafite Rothschild), in partnership with Albert Frére of LVMH. Château.
The 93 hectares (230 acres) of vineyards are planted mostly with Semillon, alongside plots of Sauvignon Blanc and a small amount of Muscadelle. Estate vineyards border those with Château d'Yquem to the west. The terroir in Sauternes helps the spread of Botrytis cinerea, and Rieussec's grapes are hand-harvested as they are affected by noble rot.
The best bunches are used to make the grand vin, which after fermentation spends 26 months in oak, about half new. Remaining juice is used to make the second wine, Carmes de Rieussec, which is only aged for 18 months. A dry white wine, R de Rieussec, is made from a blend of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc and is partially barrel-fermented.
To find out more about this wine, its price and where to buy it follow this link to the Wine-Searcher website: www.wine-searc...
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[@IsdudeMe]

Beautiful wines, and their 2nd vin Carmes de Rieussec is excellent value and delicious

[@timelessracecars7796]

Awesome!!🎉

[@winesearcher]

Thank you

[@AlexandreSgroi-gy6qi]

👍🍴