2014 Chateau Rieussec Sauternes Grand Cru Classe (375 mL) Half-Bottle

For decades, the historic Château Rieussec has been a mainstay in the best Sauternes producer conversation. Their portfolio is stacked with full-bodied critical darlings and impress-your-friends bottles. Even so, the 2014 Sauternes stands out, with triple 95-point scores from Parker’s Wine Advocate, James Suckling, and Decanter. 

This incredible vintage gave Rieussec everything they needed to craft a classic, and they did. It’s a remarkable release with a first-growth legacy that Decanter called “very harmonious: a standout Rieussec,” before laying on a 95-point score.  

2014 was a defining vintage for Sauternes: An unusually hot September and early October evoked a character unlike anything we’ve seen in years, garnering a “classic” vintage rating from Wine Spectator. And if anyone knows how to capitalize on an exceptional vintage, it’s the legendary Lafite-Rothschild clan, who acquired Château Rieussec in 1984.

The expense of producing Sauternes plus a standout vintage plus the Lafite pedigree might have dollar signs dancing around your head. But here it is at a great value, in perfectly sized half-bottles.

The wine came as an aperitif during a serendipitous visit to Château Lafite-Rothschild, and it immediately impressed. The nose is a swirling yin and yang, vibrant white peach and honeysuckle perfectly balanced by loamy botrytis, ginger, and mushroom. The palate provides even more to discover, where initial stone fruit sweetness unfolds into exotic spices and citrus, all the while displaying the refreshing acidity that defines the 2014 vintage. The Rieussec had our attention as an aperitif, and after a platter of myriad cheeses hit the table, it had our full devotion.

Bordeaux’s 2014 summer was shaping up as a solid season before September came in full throttle and made it incredible. The third-hottest September on record had Sauternes producers shifting in their seats, but in October the skies broke, sending light rain across the region. The season’s harvests produced higher-acidity Sauternes expressions like the Rieussec, which will captivate veterans and newcomers alike, continuing to improve for decades to come.

It’s no surprise that this is what the Rothchild estate served us that day. It was the perfect fit for our lunch, where we sat among the renowned family’s personal effects—a comfortable, yet challenging wine with a finish nearly as long as the lingering conversation. Even stacked against all the afternoon’s pleasant surprises, the Rieussec Sauternes stole the show.