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Chateau Rieussec, Sauternes, 1989

Dessert Wine from Bordeaux, France
by Chateau Rieussec
$144.99
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Rieussec calls 1988, 1989 and 1990 a "remarkable triad," and this is the middle year: the payoff from the work that began when the Rothschilds of Lafite bought the estate in 1984. 1989 is also the year the estate built its new cellar. Along with stricter sorting of the grapes and fermentation in barrel, that cellar let them be choosier about what went into the final blend. Rieussec was classified a First Growth in 1855, and its 85 hectares of sandy gravel and clay sit where Fargues meets Sauternes, right next door to Yquem. It's made from Semillon-led fruit, with Sauvignon and Muscadelle. Rieussec comes out layered rather than just sweet, and a 1989 is worth opening, as long as the bottle has been well kept, which matters with any older wine. Stand it upright for a day, decant it off any sediment and serve it well chilled. The estate says an opened bottle kept cool will last several weeks, so there's no need to finish it in one night.

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Antonio Galloni

92 points

"Lively, complex, fresh aromas of tropical fruit, honey and spicy oak. Sweet and viscous in the middle palate; kept fresh by apple and pear notes and harmonious acidity. Very concentrated and deep. Very long on the aftertaste; has the sheer material to buffer its alcohol. Rieussec switched to later bottling with this vintage: 30 rather than 24 months after the harvest." —Stephen Tanzer

Robert Parker

92 points

"The odd 1989 appeared disjointed and out of character (other tastings have shown this to be a very rich, alcoholic, fat, blockbuster wine)." —Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Wine Spectator

89 points

"Well proportioned and delicately built, delivering plenty of honey, spice and earth-mineral flavors."

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More about Chateau Rieussec

Owned by Rothschild since 1984, this Sauternes First Growth makes wines of astonishing complexity. The oak aging and extended bottle age potential set Rieussec apart—these aren't immediately sweet or cloying, but layered and profound.

See all Chateau Rieussec wines

Wine Details

  • Grape Variety

    Semillon

  • Vintage

    1989

  • Size

    750ml

  • Farming Practice

    Sustainable

Flatiron's Take

From the Importer

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Tasting Notes & Food Pairings

Perfect Pairings

Seared foie gras, Roquefort or Stilton with walnuts, apricot or quince tart, tarte Tatin, or crème brûlée. It's also good with a plate of aged Comté and dried apricots.

Tasting Profile

Expect the classic Sauternes profile: honeyed apricot, candied orange peel and saffron, with the vanilla and toasted-nut notes of barrel fermentation and, as Sauternes ages, deeper marmalade and crème brûlée tones. Semillon gives a rich, unctuous body, balanced by fresh acidity so the sweetness stays layered rather than cloying, finishing long and gently spicy.

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