France

Sauvignon Blanc

Sémillon

Muscadelle

Ch. Carmes De Rieussec

Chateau Rieussec Premier Cru Classe Sauternes

Bordeaux

Sauternes

Pale gold in colour, curling gunsmoke and cold ash aromatics on the opening, then widens and deepens to show grilled pineapple, mango, white pear, nectarine pit, sage and saffon. Skilfully balanced, lovely juice and texture, clear ageing ability. Mathieu Crosnier new technical director. 140g/l of residual sugar.

Inside Bordeaux

The 2024 Rieussec delivers delicate scents of cedar and lemon-ginger before opening out to a core of chamomile blossoms, grapefruit oil, and lime cordial. The palate is understated and nicely balanced with well-judged sweetness vs. tension, delivering a compelling minerality on the finish.

by Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW

A blend of 97% Semillon and 3% Sauvignon Blanc, the 2023 Rieussec has 148 g/l of residual sugar and a pH of 3.95. It is pale lemon-straw in color and zips out of the glass with spritely notes of lemon drops, fresh yellow apples, and grapefruit oil, leading to a fragrant undercurrent of lime blossoms, jasmine tea, and acacia honey. The palate is concentrated, with rich sweetness off-set by a laser-fine line of freshness, finishing long and zesty.

The 2022 Rieussec, 93% Semillon and 7% Sauvignon Blanc, is pale to medium straw in color. It swans out with showy scents of lemon tart, honey-drizzled white peaches, and apple sauce with hints of yuzu, coriander seed, and lemon verbena tea. The palate is intense and lively, with bold stone fruit flavors and a long, honey-laced finish.

Excellent quality, vibrant gold colour, sharp citrus, pineapple, mango and lime zest acidities, opulent and silk-strewn texture that closes in and grips through the finish, finishing with a mint leaf signoff. Accomplished and enjoyable, mouthwatering and tightrope walking. Jean de Roquefeuil technical director (now left for DBR's Languedoc estate Aussières), Ondine Sanfins viticulturalist creating a library of vines for massal selection. First year of organic conversion.

The 2020 Rieussec has a pale lemon-straw color. It offers up vibrant, gregarious notes of fresh pineapple, juicy apricots, and spiced pears, leading to suggestions of allspice, orange blossom, and almond tart. The palate is lively and intense, with a gorgeous satiny texture and a crisp line lifting the hedonic fruit to a long finish.

A blend of 89% Semillon, 9% Sauvignon Blanc, and 2% Muscadelle, the 2019 Rieussec is pale lemon-straw in color. It leaps with a floral perfume of lime blossoms and jasmine, leading to a core of lemon tart, persimmons, and acacia honey. The palate delivers lovely purity, with soft acidity and a fragrant finish.

The 2018 Rieussec is pale to medium lemon-yellow in color. It is closed and a little smudged on the nose, with vague apples and pears, plus hints of white pepper and paraffin wax. It tastes of fruit preserves in the mouth, with soft acidity and a warm finish. 

Pale straw-gold in color, the 2014 Rieussec sashays out with showy notes of honeydew melon, poached pears, and acacia honey followed by nuances of nutmeg and saffron. The palate is seductively rich, with just enough freshness and a decadent finish.

The 2013 Rieussec is pale to medium straw-gold in color. It offers delicate, understated scents of lemon curd, lime blossoms, and mandarin peel with wafts of chalk dust, beeswax, and marzipan. The palate is rich and viscous, with plenty of vibrant citrus flavors and a racy backbone, finishing chalky.

An excellent vintage for Sauternes, and this Rieussec at that stage of sweet wines when they are almost bone dry on the finish, with the sweetness coming through instead in the silky texture, and a kick of opulent mango on the opening. Tawny in colour, the dominant flavours here are marmalade, mandarin, lemon, bitter almond and white truffle.

Delikat sødme, men perfekt balansert. Vinner på 10 år til i kjelleren. (94+)

Expert

Almost no trace of sweetness as it hits the 53 year mark, just waves of saffron, orange zest, savoury lemon rind and juicy citrus. A beautiful wine that has weight through the palate without being heavy, showcasing the success that Sauternes found in this vintage compared to most of Bordeaux. 50% new oak. Bought by the Rothschilds in 1984, at this point Rieussec was in the hands of Alain Vuillier.

Var moden, men kunne hatt høyere syre og mer frukt.

2024	No priceNot available	Outstanding
2023	No priceNot available	Outstanding
2022	No priceNot available	Outstanding
2021	No priceNot available	Extraordinary
2020	No priceNot available	Outstanding

Category	Sweet wine
Vinmonopolet no.
Producer	Ch. Carmes De Rieussec
Vintages	2024
Country	France, Bordeaux, Sauternes
Bottle	75 cl

Alcohol	%
Acid	%
Sugar	g/l

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