Château Rieussec Magnum Retro 2023

Characteristics and Tasting Advice for Château Rieussec 2023

Tasting

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

Palate
On the palate, this wine seduces with a subtle balance between a creamy texture and aromatic freshness. The finish is distinguished by its liveliness, revealing notes of bittersweet blood orange peel and an intense, persistent menthol freshness.

Food and wine pairings

This Château Rieussec 2023 pairs perfectly with pan-seared foie gras, exotic fruit desserts, or blue-veined cheese. It also elevates an apricot tart or spicy dishes from Asian cuisine.

Serving and aging

Serve this Château Rieussec 2023 between 8 and 10°C in white wine glasses to reveal all its aromatic complexity. A slight aeration allows its aromas to fully express. Drink by around 2043.

Other characteristics

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

An exceptional Sauternes combining rare purity and balance

The estate

Established in the 18th century by the Carmelite monks of Langon, Château Rieussec is located at the junction of Fargues and Sauternes. Classified as a Premier Cru in 1855, this estate has belonged since 1984 to Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite). Its privileged position, adjacent to Château d'Yquem, and its gravelly sandy-clay soils benefit from the humidity of the Ciron, promoting 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 vineyard of Château Rieussec unfolds over an exceptional 85-hectare terroir on the left bank of the Garonne, about 50 kilometers south of Bordeaux. Planted on gravelly sandy-clay soils, this terroir of Sauternes benefits from ideal climatic conditions for the development of noble rot, an essential element in the production of great Sauternes sweet wines.

The wine

On the occasion of this 2023 vintage, which celebrates the 40th harvest dedicated to the production of this cuvée, the estate is offering, in a limited edition for this vintage, a transparent “retro” magnum featuring the estate’s historic label.

The vintage

The 2023 vintage is characterized by a wetter winter than the previous year, although still below average levels. Two frost nights caused localized damage without significant impact on the harvest. Tropical conditions from mid-May to early July were followed by heat waves in August and September, resulting in a high-quality vintage marked by rare balance and purity.

Vinification and aging

The 2023 Château Rieussec harvest is carried out manually in small crates, followed by immediate pressing in small pneumatic presses. After settling, the musts ferment in new barrels for the Semillon and in a used barrel for the Sauvignon Blanc, with a parcel-based vinification. Aging on lees with bâtonnage continues until mid-December, before Blend and return to barrels for approximately 18 months of aging.

Grape varieties

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