Les Carmes de Rieussec Sauternes (350ml)

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, and this 2018 comes in a 350 ml half-bottle, ideal to share at the end of a meal. The blend is mostly Sémillon, which brings richness and texture, with Sauvignon Blanc for freshness.

In the glass

Golden. The nose offers candied citrus, preserved lemon and yellow peach, then orange-blossom honey, acacia, ginger and beeswax, with a light touch of brioche and vanilla from the oak. The palate is sweet and luscious, yet lifted by bright acidity.

At the table

Serve it chilled. A classic with foie gras, it also pairs beautifully with blue cheeses such as Roquefort, and with fruit desserts like tarte tatin, apricot tart or lemon meringue. It even works with lightly spicy dishes. Our team can suggest the right moment in your meal.

Where it comes from

Sauternes, south of Bordeaux, is famous for its sweet wines. Where the cool Ciron river meets the warmer Garonne, autumn morning mists encourage noble rot (Botrytis cinerea), which shrivels the grapes and concentrates their sugar and flavour. Afternoon sun then dries the grapes.

The vintage and the winemaking

2018 was a year of contrasts: a very wet spring, then a hot, dry summer. Rains in early October triggered noble rot, giving fruit-forward, approachable wines with lively acidity. The grapes are picked by hand in successive passes through the vineyard, then the wine is fermented and aged in oak barrels 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.