In the 1855 Classification, Mr. Mayne is the owner. The quality of the Rieussec terroir is recognized as the Premier Cru Classé of Sauternes and Barsac. From this date, the history of Rieussec is dotted with changes of ownership: Charles Crepin (around 1870), Paul Defolie (1892), Mr. Bannil (1907), then the Gasqueton family (owner of Château Calon-Ségur in Saint-Estèphe), PF Berry during the war (American citizen brother-in-law of the Vicomte de Bouzet), Mr. Balaresque (1957) and finally, Albert Vuillier (1971), passionate enthusiast of the "sweet wines" of Sauternes.

Le Château Rieussec is acquired by the Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) in 1984, the estate then comprises 110 ha including 68 ha of vines. To better express the potential of Château Rieussec, rigorous measures are put in place with, among other things, more meticulous grain sorting and fermentation in barrels, which allows a much finer selection during the blending of the great wine.

The first selection efforts were rewarded by the remarkable triad of the 1988, 1989 and 1990 vintages. But then from 1995 to 2005, it was a decade of very fine wines that crowned these efforts. Time will have no impact on the remarkable 1996, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003 and 2005, among others!

Château Rieussec 2001 was also distinguished by the magazine Wine Spectator as -Wine of the Year- year 2004.