 | The history of this illustrious Sauternes estate, which is located in the commune of Fargues very close indeed to appellation leader Yquem, stretches back many centuries, to when the estate was in the ownership of Carmelite monks (the order in question also owned, and gave their name to, Carmes Haut-Brion). The origin of the name Rieussec remains uncertain, although writing in Grands Vins, Clive Coates asserts that the name may be a contraction of Ruisseau, the name of a stream which runs between Rieussec and Yquem , and sec, the latter part applied because the stream is known to frequently dry up during the summer months. It is an attractive proposition, and it does indeed seem likely that the origins of Ruisseau and Rieussec are at least related. |
| The Rothschilds in question are those of Lafite-Rothschild. They were at this time already running Duhart-Milon , and investment in Rieussec must have seemed a wise move, as they were soon the majority shareholder in the Société Anonyme de Chateau Rieussec , alongside two other investors from the financial sector. Initially Alain Vuillier stayed on, but in 1985 he was replaced as manager of the estate by Charles Chevalier, who now also runs the show at Lafite. Under the aegis of the Rothschild family, there has been continued investment and revitalisation at Rieussec, and I think it is fair to say that the estate is now comfortably among the top producers of Sauternes, and many would place it second only to Yquem. |  |