Structure

Bodymedium
Acidityhigh
Sweetnessdry
Finishmedium
Oaknew oak

Drinking window

Best 2 to 8 years from vintage.
vintage2 yrs8 yrs10 yrs

Critic scores

No critic score is published for this bottle that we can cite with a reviewer, a vintage and a review year, so none is shown. The rating in the header is our own.

In the glass

Medium-bodiedHigh acidityDryMedium finish

Aroma: white grapefruit, lime zest, white peach, floral herbs, chalk

Palate: citrus, honeydew, lemon cream, saline mineral, fresh finish

The dry white wine of Chateau Rieussec, a relative newcomer first produced in 1999. A fresh, citrussy Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon blend from the Fargues-de-Langon terroir with herbal and mineral freshness; lighter-styled than the Sauternes grand vin but sharing its Semillon richness.

What it pairs with

  • Oysters with lemon
    High-acid citrus drive is the classic oyster companion; the Semillon adds a subtle richness.
  • Crab salad with avocado
    Sweet crab and creamy avocado find a refreshing counterbalance in the wine's lime acidity and chalk mineral.
  • Grilled asparagus with vinaigrette
    Herbal and slightly bitter asparagus echo the Sauvignon's freshness; vinaigrette's acidity aligns with the wine.

How to serve R de Rieussec

Allow 5 minutes from open to pour.

  1. Open and pour. Open and pour directly. No decanting required for this style.
  2. Serve at 8-10°C. Cellar temperature (8-10°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
  3. Glassware. Use a smaller all-purpose white glass. The bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
  4. Pair with. Oysters with lemon, Crab salad with avocado, Grilled asparagus with vinaigrette. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.

History

R de Rieussec was introduced in 1999 as a dry white Bordeaux from the same Fargues-de-Langon terroir as the Sauternes grand vin. It uses the classification Bordeaux AOC rather than Sauternes (which is reserved for sweet wines) and is intended to demonstrate the terroir's versatility for dry white production.

  1. 1999: R de Rieussec introduced as a dry white Bordeaux from the Sauternes estate

Facts

Producer
Chateau Rieussec · visiting guide
Grapes
Sauvignon Blanc (55%), Semillon (45%)
Classification
Bordeaux AOC (dry white)
Oak
Approximately 20% new French oak; 12 months
ABV
13.0%
Price
EUR 25-45 at retail
Drinking window
2-8 from vintage
First vintage
1999

Frequently asked about R de Rieussec

What does R de Rieussec taste like?

On the nose, white grapefruit, lime zest, white peach, floral herbs, chalk. On the palate, citrus, honeydew, lemon cream, saline mineral, fresh finish. Structurally medium-bodied, high acidity with a medium finish. The dry white wine of Chateau Rieussec, a relative newcomer first produced in 1999. A fresh, citrussy Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon blend from the Fargues-de-Langon terroir with herbal and mineral freshness; lighter-styled than the Sauternes grand vin but sharing its Semillon richness.

When should I drink R de Rieussec?

Drink 2-8 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.

What food pairs with R de Rieussec?

Oysters with lemon is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Crab salad with avocado and Grilled asparagus with vinaigrette. High-acid citrus drive is the classic oyster companion; the Semillon adds a subtle richness.

What grapes are in R de Rieussec?

The blend is Sauvignon Blanc (55%), Semillon (45%). The wine is classified as Bordeaux AOC (dry white).

Tags

dry high acid medium body medium term mood easygoing mood refreshing occasion aperitivo occasion weeknight old world pairs with oysters pairs with salad pairs with shellfish pairs with white fish price trade up sauvignon blanc semillon still white

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