Château Reysson: Tasting & Drinking
The wines of Château Reysson are distinctive, perhaps even unique. I struggle to think of another left bank Bordeaux wine built in the same manner, one where Merlot has such a strong role. There are one or two special cuvées built around this variety, such as La Côte from Château Lascombes, introduced by Axel Heinz, but that is a micro-cuvée. At Château Reysson, the Merlot-dominance is the defining feature of both grand vin and second wine.
To my palate the combination of Merlot and clay makes for a distinctive style, one that stands apart from the character one might expect from a Cru Bourgeois property of this standing.
Acknowledging that the wines here are fairly atypical for the Haut-Médoc appellation, the most favourable vintages will perhaps be familiar. If you have a burning desire to lodge a magnum or two from Château Reysson in your cellar, I would recommend looking at the youngest and most successful vintages. Look for 2022, 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2016. Having said that, there is not a grand difference between quality in these vintages and less exalted years such as 2017 and 2014. All are superior to the 2021 and 2023 vintages though. (4/3/26)
