Carmes de Rieussec Sauternes

To find wines from Cadillac or Loupiac at these prices in 375ml bottles would be considered a great find, however in 750ml from a great house in Sauternes they are perhaps one of the import bargains of the year.

Being owned by Domaines Barons de Rothschild (of Lafite fame) has been a boon for Chateau Rieussec. Since taking over the property in 1984, the planted vineyard area has increased from nearly 40 hectares to roughly 90 hectares today. Investment has also been made in the cellars, and the winemaking team are now better placed to work with the multiple small lots stemming from various parcels and picking runs through the vineyard. Across the various plots the plantings are broken down as 90% Semillon, 7% Sauvignon Blanc, and 3% Muscadelle, and the wines are aged in roughly 50% new French oak. The chateau also produce a second wine called Carmes de Rieussec, which is subjected to the same rigour in the vineyard and winery as the first wine, however the emphasis with Carmes is more on beautiful aromatics and citrus flavours. Barrels showing more of these traits are selected to be bottled as Carmes de Rieussec after 18 months of elevage. On offer is a rare chance to secure back vintage stocks across eight vintages of this outstanding value Sauternes sourced directly from Bordeaux.