About the Wine

Sauternes is the iconic sweet wine of Bordeaux. This region is a paradise for lovers of sweetness, finesse, and elegant wines. It's not easy to find a good value Sauternes, (wines from this region can fetch up to $1,000 a bottle or more,) but when we do, we're thrilled to share them with you!

Sauternes wines are made primarily from Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc grapes that have been naturally affected by noble rot, Botrytis fungus. In this case, it’s a desirable fungus, allowing the perfect growing conditions for sweet wine. The fungus causes small holes in the skin of the grapes, and the grapes dehydrate on the vine, concentrating the sugar in the grapes, they look like raisins at harvest. The result is a wine with deep and complex flavors and aromas. 

Classified as a First Growth in 1855, Rieussec is one of the biggest estates of Sauternes with 227 acres of vines, situated on the “communes” of Sauternes and Fargues, high above the Garonne River, in a small area where the cold Autumn dawns help form the famous mist. It is this mist which many believe plays a major role in the development of botrytis cinerea (noble rot).Château Rieussec is located in Fargues (adjacent to Château d’Yquem). Carmes is Château Rieussec's stunning second wine. 

Tasting Notes: 82% Semillon, 16% Sauvignon Blanc, 2% Muscadelle. The nose is delicate, mingling rhubarb and peach fragrances with delicious notes of white flowers. A fresh attack with notes of rhubarb gives way to an alluring, delicious, and pure mouthfeel. Persistent and smooth, the finish reveals buttery and subtle aromas of bright grapefruit, sweet lime, honeysuckle, and pears.

Reviews

Bright golden yellow, silver reflections. Fine honey nuances, ripe peach, delicate pineapple, a touch of new wood, attractive fruit. Medium complexity, white peach, aromatic with Semillion, a hint of pear in the finish, rather reserved sweetness, easy to drink, powerful in the aftertaste. ~92 Falstaff

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