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2014 Château Rieussec

Light label condition issue

Removed from a professional wine storage facility; Purchased upon release; Consignor is original owner

Removed from a professional wine storage facility; Purchased upon release; Consignor is original owner

Ends Sunday, 7pm Pacific

RATINGS

95-97The Wine Advocate

The bouquet is very well defined with crystal clear honeysuckle and white peach scents. The palate is beautifully balanced with nigh on perfect acidity that makes this seem just so…effortless.

95James Suckling

The aromas of botrytis are all there. Very spicy mushroom-powder and flower character. Dried-lemon undertones. Full-bodied, medium sweet, dense and flavorful with so much fruit intensity and bright acidity. Vibrant.

94Vinous / IWC

Orange peel, mint, apricot jam and tropical fruits grace the palate in a sensual, rich Sauternes that exudes class...This is a very pretty and complete Sauternes with all of its elements in the right place.

94Wine Enthusiast

Layered botrytis that gives the wine both its richness and dense texture. It is sweet but with a dry core and crisp acidity...a beautiful wine, with tropical fruits, apricots and wonderful final acidity.

17Jancis Robinson

PRODUCER

Château Rieussec

Château Rieussec was originally owned by monks, though after the French Revolution it was confiscated from the church and sold off at public auction. In the 20th century this First Growth of the Sauternes-Barsac had numerous owners, including Albert Vuillier, who purchased the property in 1971 and many made improvements, such as increasing the use of new oak. Though the sweet dessert wines of Chateau Rieussec always had an excellent reputation, quality improved under Vuillier and the current owners, Domaines Barons de Rothschild. Located in Fargues, the chateau includes 186 acres planted to 90% Semillon, 6% Sauvignon Blanc, and 4% Muscadelle. Oak for the fermentation barrels come from the Château Lafite cooperage. About 6,000 cases of Château Rieussec are produced annually.

REGION

France, Bordeaux, Sauternes, Fargues

Sauternes makes the world’s most famous dessert wines. Though the appellation lies within the Graves region of Bordeaux’s left bank, the appellation makes only sweet wines from white grapes, primarily Semillon sometimes blended with small amounts of Muscadelle. The five communes within Sauternes are Barsac, Bommes, Fargues, Preignac and Sauternes. Barsac also has its own appellation and, typically, Barsac wines are slightly drier and lighter than other Sauternes. Sauternes are made when weather conditions result in a mold called Botrytis cinerea developing on the grapes, which causes them to become especially sweet. Sauternes are not produced every vintage, so successful vintages become especially collectible. Sauternes estates were classified in 1855, and Château d’Yquem, the appellation’s most prestigious estate, was ranked in a class by itself as a Premier Grand Cru. Château d’Yquem wines are among the most prized wines in the world.

VINTAGE

2014 Château Rieussec