Chateau Rieussec 1er Cru Classe

Carmes de Rieussec Sauternes 2nd Wine 2017 – $29.95 per bottle (375ml) – 12 packs

Château Rieussec is one of the richest and most exotic of all Sauternes,  The Winery has been owned by Domaines Barons de Rothschild since 1985 and is located at one of the highest points of Sauternes in the village of Fargues where its vineyards border those of Château d`Yquem.

Rieussec’s 75 hectares of vineyards are planted with 89% Sémillon, 8% Sauvignon Blanc and 3% Muscadelle. Yields are low and the grapes are fermented in stainless steel tanks and oak casks before being matured in oak barriques (70% new) for 18-24 months

93 Points Antonio Galloni

The 2017 Carmes de Rieussec is dazzling. Here, too, the winemaking team captured a striking balance of richness and energy. Most second wines from Sauternes these days are light and floral. The Carmes has plenty of those qualities, but it is far from an easygoing Sauternes; rather it packs a serious punch. Lemon confit, passion fruit, exotic flowers and mint meld into the creamy, resonant finish.

92 Points Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

The 2017 Carmes de Rieussec, a blend of 94% Sémillon, 3% Sauvignon Blanc and 3% Muscadelle, opens with gorgeous lemon marmalade, peach preserves and preserved kumquat notes with touches of preserved mandarin peel and honeycomb. It fills the palate with rich, spiced apricot preserves notions, with a racy backbone to balance and a good, long finish. – Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate