CHÂTEAU RIEUSSEC
BORDEAUX, FRANCE 2010 & 2015
Why Buy: 99 points, $44? If that’s not going to reel you in, then how about this: when was the last time you saw a critic begin his review with an OMG? Me neither. But believe it: James Suckling’s ecstatic 99-point assessment of the 2015 Château Rieussec Sauternes captures everything we love about this instant classic from the First Growth Sauternes-maker — a brilliant, life-affirming bottle that transports you to a better, purer place. We’re pairing it with another great bottle of theirs, the 2010 vintage, a mature and majestic beauty — cellared for more than a decade — that is soaring testament to the glories of long, slow aging.
What They're Saying: We simply have to quote in full from the Suckling review of the 2015 vintage: "OMG. This is amazing. This is the new 2001. Incredible purity of botrytis and ripeness. Full-on. So driven and precise. Full-bodied, very sweet and electrified. Pineapple jam and mangoes — endless tropical fruits. This ends very clean and is almost tannic on the finish. A truly great Sauternes.” It would be hard to top that level of exuberance, but Vinous was deeply enamored of the 2010 vintage. "Very focused with almond, saffron, orange pith and dried honey aromas that gain intensity with aeration,” it wrote, in a 96-point rave. "The palate is medium-bodied with a harmonious entry. Impressive depth with lovely vanillary new oak, it is long and pure towards the finish. A Sauternes with pedigree. Superb."
Our Tasting Notes: From the moment you lift the glass to your nose, the 2015 dazzles you with its intoxicating aromatics of ripe tropical fruits and honeyed citrus and — bringing up the rear — subtle, sublime notes of crème brûlée. The palate is an absolute revelation — impossibly dense yet fleet-footed, its concentrated flavors of pineapple jam, mango, and candied orange zest carried along by a spine of bracing acidity and crushed minerals. The finish lingers on with a crescendo of oak-kissed richness, hinting at the wine's potential to evolve and unfurl over the coming decades. The 2010, meanwhile, offers a more nuanced and mature expression of Sauternes, its nose redolent of almond, saffron, and dried honey. On the palate, it's a wine of pedigree and poise, with a harmonious interplay of vanilla-tinged oak, luscious orchard fruit, and a pure, lingering minerality.
The Story: Château Rieussec has long been considered one of the crown jewels of Sauternes, a reputation built on generations of meticulous viticulture and a relentless pursuit of quality. But even among this elite company, the wines of Château Rieussec are a breed apart, captivating critics and collectors alike with their sheer depth of flavor, structural precision, and uncanny ability to age. At the heart of Rieussec's success lies its unique terroir — a patchwork of gravelly, south-facing slopes perfectly suited to the cultivation of Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc. It's a site that has been revered for centuries, with historic records dating back to the 14th century. And over the generations, the stewards of this estate have honed an approach to winemaking that is as painstaking as it is innovative, blending time-honored techniques with bold experimentation to coax out the fullest, most transcendent expressions from these storied soils.
The Specs: The 2015 Rieussec is a classically structured Sauternes, a blend, predominantly, of Sémillon, with a smaller proportion of Sauvignon Blanc for definition and acidity. After a meticulous sorting to ensure only the most nobly rotten berries were selected, fermentation took place in French oak barrels, 40% of them new. The 2010, meanwhile, spent extended time in both barrel and bottle. This wine spent 18 months in French oak, 20% of which was new, before being bottled and cellared for over a decade.
What to Pair Them With: These are wines that were made for revelry and indulgence, with the structure and intensity to stand up to the most decadent of desserts. The 2015 would be a sublime match for a rich crème brûlée, or a towering slice of pineapple upside-down cake. The 2010, meanwhile, would shine alongside a selection of artisanal cheeses, a silky, creamy panna cotta, or a decadent tres leches cake.
Fun Fact: Unusually, Rieussec does not employ a sorting table — all sorting of the grapes takes place in the vineyard, before they’re ever delivered to the wine presses.
Our Guarantee: Remember, friends – we always buy direct and we only source direct, so you can rest assured that your wine will arrive in your hands with pristine provenance Don't miss your chance to experience the magic of these legendary Sauternes. Secure yours today!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Winter 2024 (Dec. 20th, 2024-March 20th, 2025). With the supply chain issues that we are seeing globally, there may be some unforeseen delays which could affect the ETA. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer not valid in KS, MI, NY & TN. This offer is for ONE WEEK, or until sold out, and will expire on Monday, November 25th, 2024.