1999 Château Rieussec

Chateau Rieussec is one of the few producers of Sauternes who approaches Chateau d'Yquem in terms of quality and consistency. The vineyards of the two chateaux are actually located alongside one another in the communes of Sauternes and Barsac. Chateau Rieussec is one of 11 Premier Cru properties designated in the 1855 classification, and was originally owned by Carmelite monks pre-dating the French Revolution. Since then, ownership has passed through many hands, and the property was eventually sold to the Lafite-Rothschild group in 1984. Under the management of Charles Chevallier, the chateau has seen vast improvement, and is frequently cited amongst the best Sauternes in the world. Tremendously elegant, these wines are typically made from a combination of Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle.

The estate produces a second wine, Carmes de Rieussec, and a third called Clos Labere, which undergoes shorter ageing in barrels and therefore may be consumed at a younger age than the grand vin. Finally, the estate makes a dry white called "R" de Rieussec, composed from many of same grapevines that produce their Sauternes.