Château Rieussec Carmes de Rieussec Sauternes 2020

Carmes de Rieussec is the second wine of Château Rieussec, one of Sauternes’ most respected estates and a Premier Cru Classé since 1855. Crafted with the same care and precision as the Grand Vin, it offers a slightly lighter, more approachable expression of classic Sauternes luxury, making it delicious to enjoy now or to cellar for a few years.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2020 vintage shows a luminous golden colour that immediately signals richness and depth. The nose opens with classic Sauternes aromas of acacia honey, candied citrus, dried apricot, and a subtle hint of vanilla from oak aging. On the palate, it is full-bodied and supple, with layered sweetness balanced by bright, refreshing acidity. That tension keeps the wine elegant and focused, finishing cleanly with lingering notes of fruit, honey, and delicate spice. While approachable in its youth, it should also develop gracefully over the next several years.

Production
Made primarily from Sémillon, with Sauvignon Blanc contributing freshness and finesse, the grapes for Carmes de Rieussec 2020 were harvested in Sauternes under conditions ideal for noble rot, or botrytis cinerea. This special microclimate concentrates sugars and aromas, giving the wine its signature intensity and depth. The wine is vinified and matured with great precision, reflecting the estate’s attention to detail and the character of Bordeaux’s great sweet wine terroir.

Food & Serving
This wine is a superb match for foie gras, blue cheeses, and fruit-based desserts, especially those featuring fresh stone fruit or citrus. It also pairs beautifully with spicy Asian dishes, where the sweetness complements the heat. Serve well chilled, ideally around 8–10°C, and decanting is generally not necessary, though a short aeration can help open the wine if serving it very young.

Producer
Château Rieussec is one of the benchmark estates of Sauternes, with a history closely tied to the region’s reputation for some of the world’s finest sweet wines. Classified as a Premier Cru Classé in the 1855 Bordeaux classification, the château has long been recognised for the quality and consistency of its wines. Today, it remains a reference point in Sauternes, admired for producing wines of concentration, elegance, and remarkable balance.

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