Among Sauternes' most radiant signatures, the Carmes de Rieussec 2020 demonstrates the art of a finely chiselled sweet wine with flair. The second wine of the prestigious Château Rieussec, Premier Grand Cru Classé, it draws on the rigor and elegance of its elder to offer a delicate interpretation of botrytis. The 2020 vintage, harvested late at optimal ripeness, reveals a rare harmony between indulgence and tension. From a terroir of gravelly clay-sand soils, this wine seduces with its precise bouquet and satiny texture, designed for shared moments where sweetness appears with restraint. Both caressing and supported by a fine freshness, it conjures memories of yellow fruits and white flowers, while a touch of beeswax and muscat hints at a lingering finish. For the enthusiast seeking a Sauternes that is both refined and approachable, it provides a moment of pure elegance, a gourmand gesture that prolongs the conversation.

Blend and winemaking

This Sauternes is built around Sémillon, completed by Sauvignon Blanc and a touch of Muscadelle. Parcel-by-parcel vinification isolates the purest expressions of botrytis, then the wine is aged in barrels for 12 to 18 months with measured lees stirring to refine the mouthfeel. The estate's gravelly clay-sand soils, across some forty parcels within a large historic vineyard, leave their signature: luminous ripeness, balance and aromatic precision. The late harvest on 21 October 2020, under the influence of perfectly established botrytis, promoted an elegant concentration of aromas and restrained sweetness. True to Château Rieussec's standards, the Carmes favours purity, clarity of fruit and a nuanced reading of the liqueur, for a rounded texture that remains airy.

Tasting notes

• Colour : luminous gold with straw highlights, edged with fine tears that announce a creamy, perfectly balanced substance.
• Nose : delicate hints of rhubarb and ripe peach, a bouquet of white flowers, suggestions of exotic fruits and a breath of beeswax, lifted by an oaky patina.
• Palate : a fresh, incisive entry, a gourmand, satiny mid-palate, nuanced by buttery and muscat-like notes. Persistent, clean finish, driven by a well-maintained acidity.

Serving temperature and tips

Serve chilled, between 10 and 12°C, in tulip-shaped white wine glasses to reveal the aromatic complexity without flattening the texture. A light aeration a few minutes before serving helps open the yellow fruit notes and the floral dimension. Store bottles in a cellar, undisturbed, protected from light and temperature fluctuations. This wine can be enjoyed today and will develop gracefully over the years with careful cellaring that preserves its refinement.

Food pairings

• Aperitifs : lightly honeyed roasted dried fruits, poultry pâté en croûte, citrus-cured salmon (gravlax).
• Starters : duck foie gras, roasted langoustines, crab and green mango salad.
• Main courses : free-range poultry with saffron sauce, mildly spiced Asian cuisine, vegetable dishes with roasted squashes.
• Cheeses : Roquefort, Bleu d'Auvergne, Fourme d'Ambert, whose salinity dialogues with the liqueur.
• Desserts : thin apricot tart, honey-roasted peaches, pineapple and vanilla sabayon.

Moments to enjoy

Carmes de Rieussec 2020 is the ideal companion for:

• an elegant aperitif where conversation is coloured by crystalline sweetness.
• a gourmet dinner where aromatic precision enhances every plate.
• as a connoisseur's gift for those who celebrate the art of French living.

Characteristics

• Name : Carmes de Rieussec 2020
• Appellation : Sauternes AOC
• Type : Sweet white wine
• Vintage : 2020
• Grape varieties : Sémillon majority, complemented by Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle
• Alcohol : approx. 14% vol.
• Ageing : 12 to 18 months in barrels with lees stirring
• Bottle size : according to available format
• Cellaring : enjoy now, potential to develop further with cellaring
• Serving temperature : 10–12°C