2022 Château Rieussec Sauternes 1e Grand Cru Classé

Carmes de Rieussec 2022 is the refined second wine of the illustrious Château Rieussec, one of Sauternes’ benchmark estates. Crafted from the same noble terroir as the grand vin, it offers a more approachable and youthful expression of classic botrytised Bordeaux sweetness. This cuvée delivers the hallmark richness and complexity of Sauternes, but with a fresher, more immediate charm that makes it ideal for both seasoned collectors and curious newcomers.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2022 Carmes de Rieussec shows a bright golden color with youthful lemon and straw tints that will deepen to a richer amber with age. The nose is generous and expressive, layered with aromas of ripe apricot, candied citrus peel, acacia honey, juicy pineapple, and hints of white flowers and vanilla, underpinned by subtle notes of toasted brioche and spice. On the palate, this Sauternes is lusciously sweet yet beautifully balanced by a lively acidity, giving it a sense of lift and precision. Flavors of mango, quince paste, baked pear, and honeycomb intertwine with touches of almond, saffron, and sweet spice, leading to a long, silky, and mouth-coating finish. While already very enjoyable in its youth for its vibrant fruit and freshness, the 2022 vintage has the concentration and structure to evolve gracefully for 10–15 years, developing more complexity, nuttiness, and depth over time.

Production
Carmes de Rieussec is sourced from the vineyards of Château Rieussec in the heart of Sauternes, where gravelly, sandy soils over clay sit on well-drained slopes perfectly suited to Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle. The morning mists from the nearby Ciron and Garonne rivers encourage the development of noble rot (Botrytis cinerea), which concentrates sugars and aromas in the grapes. Harvesting is done by hand in multiple meticulous passes through the vineyard, selecting only botrytised berries at optimal ripeness. In the cellar, the must is slowly fermented, typically in a combination of stainless steel and oak, followed by maturation in French oak barrels to build texture and complexity while preserving the wine’s purity and freshness, resulting in a more open, earlier-drinking expression than the château’s grand vin.

Food & Serving
Carmes de Rieussec 2022 is a versatile Sauternes that shines with both classic and modern pairings. Enjoy it alongside foie gras, blue cheeses such as Roquefort, or rich terrines for a traditional match, or pair it with spicy Asian dishes, roasted poultry with fruit glazes, or lobster with a touch of sweetness for a contemporary twist. It is also superb with fruit-based desserts, crème brûlée, tarte Tatin, or simply a plate of stone fruits. Serve well-chilled at around 8–10°C (46–50°F); as it warms slightly in the glass, the aromatics will unfold beautifully. Decanting is generally not necessary for such a young Sauternes, but opening the bottle 15–20 minutes before serving allows the wine to fully express its bouquet.

Producer
Château Rieussec, classified as a Premier Grand Cru Classé in the 1855 Classification of Sauternes and Barsac, is one of the region’s most respected estates. Located near the famed Château d’Yquem, Rieussec has long been recognized for its powerful, long-lived sweet wines, and since its acquisition by the Lafite Rothschild group in the 1980s, quality has been further elevated through meticulous vineyard and cellar work. Carmes de Rieussec was created as the château’s second wine to offer a more accessible, earlier-drinking expression of this exceptional terroir, while still reflecting the precision and craftsmanship for which Rieussec is known. Today, the estate is considered a reference point for Sauternes, consistently earning high praise from critics and collectors worldwide.

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