Les Carmes de Rieussec Sauternes

The wine

Les Carmes de Rieussec is the second wine of Château Rieussec, classified as a Premier Cru Classé (First Growth) in the 1855 Classification of Sauternes and Barsac. It is made by the same team from the same vineyards. The blend is mostly Sémillon, for richness and honeyed texture, with Sauvignon Blanc for freshness. Ten years on, this 2015 is beautifully open.

In the glass

Golden. The nose shows candied citrus, dried apricot and ripe peach, then acacia honey, white blossom and a hint of ginger, with vanilla and brioche from the oak. The palate is rich and sweet, balanced by refreshing acidity.

At the table

Serve it chilled. Superb with foie gras, salty blue cheeses such as Roquefort or Stilton, or fruit desserts like apricot tart and lemon meringue pie. It can also be enjoyed on its own as a dessert. Our team can suggest the right moment in your meal.

Where it comes from

Sauternes, in the south of the Graves area of Bordeaux, is renowned for long-lived sweet whites. Morning mists from the meeting of the Ciron and Garonne rivers encourage noble rot, which concentrates sugar and flavour, while the afternoon sun keeps the grapes healthy.

The vintage and the winemaking

2015 was an excellent year in Bordeaux. A warm, dry summer ripened the grapes fully, September rains spread noble rot evenly, and dry weather followed for the harvest. Picking is by hand in several successive passes, and the wine is fermented and aged in French oak for around 18 months.

Appellation

AOC Sauternes. The 1855 First Growth classification belongs to Château Rieussec's grand vin; Les Carmes de Rieussec is its second wine.