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Proudly guarding the entrance to the Sauternes appellation, Château Rieussec enjoys prestige in more ways than one. Its origins date back to the 18th century, when it belonged to the Carmelite monks of Langon, and was sold as national property during the French Revolution.
The Château Rieussec was consecrated Premier Grand Cru Classé during the classification of Bordeaux wines officialized in 1855 for the Paris Universal Exhibition.
It was in 1984 that it was acquired by the Domaines Baron de Rothschild. When it comes to innovation, the quest for excellence and precision in the cellar and the vineyard, and respect for the environment, nothing has ever been left to chance to make Domaine and its wines shine.
The Château Rieussec is based on 85 hectares of vines planted on extremely high-quality sandy-clay gravel soils. The grape varieties are 81% Semillon, 17% Sauvignon Blanc and 2% Muscadelle. The wines are aged for 18 to 26 months in French oak barrels, 80 to 100% of which are new.
The estate also produces a Second wine, Carmes de RieusSec.
The Château Rieussec delivers a unique expression of the Sauternes vineyard, thanks to its floral and yellow and white-fleshed fruit aromatic expression, elegance, freshness and longevity.
The 2020 vintage at Bordeaux was marked by contrasting weather conditions. An exceptionally warm autumn-winter favored early budburst around March 20. Regular rainfall from April to June intensified mildew pressure, requiring increased vigilance. Flowering, observed around May 19, was followed by a radical climatic transition: the summer imposed 55 days of drought, with veraison beginning on July 25. The clay-limestone terroirs and lower slopes withstood these hydric constraints better, while some gravel terraces suffered more. For sweet wines, hot, dry conditions complicated the development of botrytis, which is essential for obtaining candied grapes. Despite this, the Sémillons harvested around October 21, particularly those from the parcels surrounding Château Rieussec, stood out and form the backbone of this cuvée.
In the cellar, the grapes are treated with precision. After immediate pressing, the musts are settled and then fermented in new barrels. Vinification is carried out parcel by parcel, ensuring a faithful expression of each terroir. After fermentation, the wines are kept on lees with regular stirring until mid-December, favoring richness and complexity. After racking and blending, ageing continues in barrels for around 12 months.
The Château Rieussec 2020 reveals a subtle nose, marked by aromas of rhubarb, peach and white flowers. On the palate, freshness dominates with a lively, greedy attack, giving way to an unctuous, slightly muscat-like finish, enriched with buttery nuances.
A demanding but promising vintage, revealing the mastery and excellence of Château Rieussec.
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Founded in 1971, the Club Trésors de Champagne is a very exclusive circle that brings together 25 of the region’s finest artisan winemakers. United by a love for their terroir, respect for traditional craftsmanship, and a vision for the future, these exceptional winemakers have been rigorously selected for the excellence of their work. Membership in the club is granted only upon sponsorship by one or more existing members.
For them, champagne is not just a celebratory drink; it is a unique story told through every bottle.
The “Spécial Club” cuvée
Being a member of this highly exclusiveclub allows winemakers to produce a unique, vintage-dated prestige cuvée: the Spécial Club. Recognized as the ultimate symbol of their expertise, this cuvée undergoes a rigorous process to ensure impeccable quality.
To earn this coveted “label,” each bottle must pass through rigorous stages:
