Carmes de Rieussec 2024

Characteristics and tasting advice for Les Carmes de Rieussec 2024 from Château Rieussec

Tasting

Appearance
This wine reveals a bright, radiant appearance of great clarity.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet is precise, releasing fragrances of white flowers and fresh citrus. Indulgent notes of candied grapefruit zest, fresh mango, and subtle hints of honey enrich this superb aromatic palette.

Palate
On the palate, the attack is pure and full of elegance. The sweetness, delicate and perfectly integrated, is balanced by a lively, taut structure that brings great energy. Lemony flavors intertwine with fine woody accents, offering a profile that is both modern, refined, and highly accessible.

Food and wine pairings

This great sweet wine pairs wonderfully with foie gras, duck-based dishes, or roasted poultry with mild spices. It also creates superb contrasts with seafood, particularly oysters, spicy Asian dishes, as well as blue cheeses such as roquefort.

Other characteristics

This sweet wine has an alcohol content of 13.5% vol. Its total acidity is 4 g/L with a pH of 3.8. Finally, its sweetness is expressed through a residual sugar content of 119 g/L.

A full-bodied and radiant Second Wine of Sauternes by Château Rieussec

The estate

Located in the Bordeaux region, Château Rieussec dates back to the 18th century, founded by the Carmes de Langon monks. Recognized as a Premier Grand Cru Classé in 1855, this emblematic estate has belonged to Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite since 1984. With an extensive vineyard, the property stands out for its environmental commitment, obtaining organic certification in 2024. Château Rieussec produces sweet wines of great precision, combining tradition and modernity, and stands as a benchmark of its appellation.

The vineyard

Located at the crossroads of the communes of Fargues and Sauternes, the vineyard extends over 85 hectares. Rising to nearly 78 meters in altitude, the vines thrive on soils composed mainly of gravel over a clay-sandy subsoil. This terroir benefits from full grass cover and organic farming practices, promoting biodiversity and soil health.

The vintage

The year began with a particularly rainy winter, totaling more than 600 mm of precipitation, accompanied by mild temperatures. After a slight, harmless frost episode in April, the mild and humid spring led to significant downy mildew pressure, particularly on sauvignon blanc. Flowering experienced some coulure and millerandage. The hot, dry summer resulted in slow berry ripening. Harvests began early in August, punctuated by September rains, marking an unprecedented event: the overlap of harvests for sweet wines and those intended for dry whites.

Winemaking and aging

Upon arrival at the winery, the grapes destined for Carmes de Rieussec 2024 are immediately pressed. After careful settling, the must is transferred into oak barrels to undergo fermentation. Each plot benefits from tailor-made pressing and vinification. The wines are then aged on lees with regular stirring until mid-December. After a resting period, they are racked and blended before returning to barrels for approximately twelve months of aging.

Grape varieties

This blend consists of 77% sémillon, 17% sauvignon blanc, and 6% muscadelle.