Château Rieussec Premier Cru Classé, Sauternes 2003

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Château Rieussec Premier Cru Classé, Sauternes 2003

Producer: Château Rieussec | Appellation: Sauternes, Bordeaux, France
Classification: Premier Cru Classé (1855)
Vintage: 2003 | Blend: Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle
Drinking Window: 2010–2040+ | Aging Potential: 35+ years

The Wine

The 2003 Château Rieussec is a luxurious and richly textured Sauternes that beautifully captures the warmth and opulence of this exceptional vintage. Marked by an intensely hot growing season, the wine combines luscious concentration with the estate’s signature precision and poise. This Premier Cru Classé is one of the benchmark sweet wines of Bordeaux.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Deep and expressive aromas of apricot, honey, orange marmalade, and citrus peel, with hints of saffron, crème brûlée, and toasted almonds.

Palate: Sumptuous and layered, offering waves of caramelised stone fruits, honeycomb, and tropical notes. The sweetness is perfectly balanced by vibrant acidity and a subtle mineral edge.

Finish: Long, unctuous, and harmonious, leaving lingering impressions of honey, spice, and botrytised fruit.

Producer Details

Owned by Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) since 1984, Château Rieussec stands among the elite of Sauternes. Its 93 hectares of gravel and clay soils, located near Château d’Yquem, provide ideal conditions for noble rot (Botrytis cinerea). The estate is celebrated for producing wines that combine richness and complexity with impeccable balance and longevity.

Wine Details

Vinification: Grapes affected by noble rot are hand-harvested in multiple passes (tries successives); fermented in oak barrels and aged for 18–24 months (typically 50–60% new oak).
Alcohol Content: ~13.5% ABV
Residual Sugar: Approximately 130 g/L
Cellaring: Drinking beautifully now but capable of further evolution through 2040 and beyond.

Food Pairing Suggestions

Perfect with foie gras, blue cheeses, tarte tatin, crème brûlée, or simply sipped alongside roasted nuts and fresh fruit.