2017 Château Rieussec

When the Romans thought of what is now Bordeaux, they described it as “lying by the water” and named the region “Aquitaine” accordingly. Its capital and port city shares the same name as the world-renowned 100,000-hectare wine-growing region: Bordeaux, or in French, Bordelais.

Along and in front of the Gironde, which is fed by the Dordogne and Garonne rivers, lie the world-famous wine regions of Médoc, Haut-Médoc, Graves, and on the right bank, the villages of St. Émilion and Pomerol. Our passion for the fine wines of the Bordelais has been unwavering for many years. We have been collecting these wines for over 20 years, regularly acquiring private cellars from enthusiasts, and focusing on what we consider the great vintages (including 1982, 1985, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2005, 2009, 2010, and several others) and the top winemakers. Wines that do not meet our taste simply do not make it into our selection.

For any wine lover, thinking of Bordeaux inevitably brings Cabernet Sauvignon to mind. But why does this grape thrive so exceptionally well there? The climate on the Médoc peninsula, located to the left of the Gironde, is the mildest in all of Bordeaux, making it the ideal region for producing world-class Cabernet Sauvignon-based blends. This variety requires precisely these conditions to reach full ripeness with consistent success. Pine forests protect the vineyards from strong Atlantic winds while also moderating summer temperatures.

Given the high rainfall near the sea, the typical Château mitigates risk by cultivating at least three grape varieties: alongside Cabernet Sauvignon, the blends typically include Merlot and Cabernet Franc, and sometimes the later-ripening Petit Verdot and Malbec. Voilà! The dominant grape variety depends on the riverbank: Cabernet Sauvignon dominates on the Left Bank, while Merlot prevails on the Right Bank. Of course, there are exceptions, but this is the fundamental distinction between the two most famous riverbanks in the wine world.