Château Rieussec is one of the richest and most exotic of all Sauternes, producing particularly good wines in the late 1980s and the mid 1990s. Rieussec 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.

Rieussec produces a classic full-bodied Sauternes that is deep golden-yellow in colour and packed with lusciously sweet, honeyed fruits. Classsfied as a 1er Cru Classé, its best vintages rival those from d`Yquem.

As the Second wine of Chateau Rieussec -Premier Cru Classé-, for this particular vintage it was the only one released, Carmes is selected with the same standards as the first wine.

Blend – 87% Sémillon, 10% Sauvignon, 3% Muscadelle

Vintage – Vintage 2012 was a difficult year in Sauternes. The first challenge was a hail storm, and then a late flowering in damp conditions, which had a direct, negative impact on yields. June and July brought alternating heat and humidity, which was very favorable for diseases in the vineyards. Protection against disease was difficult, and the wine growers and vineyard managers had to apply all of their skills and experience. At the end of August, in beautiful warm weather, the onset of ripening was uneven. Despite everyone’s best efforts, these conditions did not allow us to produce a first wine (Château Rieussec) for this vintage; however, they could produce a pleasant, fruity, floral Carmes.

Bouquet of white flowers, acacia and honeysuckle. On the palate, the sweetness is present from the start with notes of honey; the wine then confirms a balanced, harmonious structure and the moderately long finish ends with a pleasant, fairly lively expression.

James Suckling – 88 points

17 Feb, 2015 – This is a pretty, fresh white with light sweetness and brightness. Medium body and good fruit. As the winemaker said at Rieusssec: ‘It’s a good quality wine to show what we can do in a difficult year’. Second wine of Rieussec. First wine now made in 2012.