Château Rieussec Magnum Retro 2023

Characteristics and tasting tips for Château Rieussec 2023

Tasting

Nose
Complex and refined, the nose reveals aromas of apricot and fresh pineapple, accompanied by candied citrus notes. Fine floral notes of chamomile and acacia round off this expressive bouquet.

Palate
On the palate, this wine seduces with its subtle balance between creamy texture and aromatic freshness. The finish is characterized by its liveliness, revealing notes of bitter-sweet blood orange zest and an intense, persistent mentholated freshness.

Food and wine pairing

This Château Rieussec 2023 pairs perfectly with roasted foie gras, exotic fruit desserts, or blue cheese. It also enhances an apricot tart or spicy Asian dishes.

Service and storage

Serve this Château Rieussec 2023 at 8 to 10°C in white wine glasses to reveal its full aromatic complexity. Light aeration allows its aromas to fully express themselves. Drink until approximately 2043.

Other characteristics

This sweet wine has an alcohol content of 14% ABV, a pH of 3.9, and a total acidity of 3.72 g/l. With 147 g/l of residual sugar, it perfectly expresses the typical sweet wine character of the Sauternes appellation.

An exceptional Sauternes combining purity and rare balance

The Producer

Founded in the 18th century by the Carmes de Langon monks, Château Rieussec sits at the junction of Fargues and Sauternes. Classified as a Premier Cru in 1855, this estate has belonged to Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) since 1984. Its privileged location, adjacent to Château d'Yquem, and its sandy-gravelly-clay soils benefit from the humidity of the Ciron, which promotes Botrytis cinerea. This estate embodies the excellence of Bordeaux sweet wines thanks to its exceptional terroir and the know-how of the Rothschild family.

The Vineyard

The Château Rieussec vineyard spans an exceptional terroir of 85 hectares on the left bank of the Garonne, about 50 kilometers south of Bordeaux. Situated on sandy-gravelly-clay soils, this Sauternes terroir benefits from ideal climatic conditions for the development of noble rot, an essential element in the production of great sweet wines from Sauternes.

The Wine

Marking the 2023 vintage, which celebrates the 40th harvest for this cuvée, the estate innovates by bringing back the half-bottle (which disappeared in 2021 with the launch of the new packaging) as well as a limited edition transparent "retro" magnum for this vintage, inspired by the estate's historic label.

The Vintage

The 2023 vintage is characterized by a wetter winter than the previous year, though it remained below usual averages. Two nights of frost caused local damage without significantly affecting the harvest. Tropical conditions from mid-May to early July were followed by heatwaves in August and September, creating a high-quality vintage characterized by rare balance and purity.

Winemaking and Ageing

After settling, the musts ferment plot-by-plot in new barrels for the Semillon and in tanks for the Sauvignon Blanc. Ageing on lees with stirring lasts until mid-December, before blending and returning to barrels for approximately 18 months of ageing.

Grape Varieties

Semillon (89%), Sauvignon Blanc (11%)