In the heart of the Sauternes appellation, the 2021 Carmes de Rieussec asserts itself as a luminous variation of the estate's grand vin, a cuvée shaped with the same rigour in selection and blending. This second wine does more than evoke its illustrious elder; it distils the essence, a sense of detail and balance that reflects a lifestyle both indulgent and precise. Its pale yellow-green robe with silvery highlights lifts the curtain on a generous nose where candied white fruits converse with citrus freshness, delicate mango and a caress of honey. The first sip surprises with controlled sweetness before unfurling a sapid energy, a core of fresh pineapple, and a concentrated, upright substance. The oak, perfectly integrated, supports without dominating, like a fine oak punctuation serving the texture. The finish, long and persistent, leaves the memory of a noble bitterness, a touch of bitter orange that signs the wine's precision. For the enthusiast seeking an expressive Sauternes, or the epicurean who wants a sweet white capable of accompanying the table with grace, Carmes de Rieussec 2021 offers an accomplished, serene and luminous sensory experience.

Blend and winemaking

This cuvée is built on an Sémillon backbone at about 87%, completed by Sauvignon at 7% and Muscadelle at 6%. The Sémillon dominance brings volume and creaminess, a textural base on which sit the aromas of candied fruits and fine honey. The Sauvignon injects citrus tension, a drive that stretches the palate, while the Muscadelle adds floral notes and discreet charm. The élevage lasts 18 months in oak barrels, a measured maturation that polishes contours, harmonises the material and melts the oak into the wine's fabric. Selected according to the same criteria as the grand vin, Carmes de Rieussec remains faithful to the estate's aesthetic, combining aromatic purity and silky structure. Production, confidential on a Bordeaux scale, stands at around 6 000 cases per year, an expression of artisan work that favours precision of gesture and stylistic homogeneity. In the 2021 vintage, fruit freshness and sugar definition intertwine, offering a clear reading of the terroir with a luminous balance.

Tasting notes

• Appearance: Pale yellow-green with silvery highlights, crystalline and luminous, it promises a vibrant wine that is both airy and concentrated.
• Nose: Generous and precise, it marries candied white fruits, grapefruit zest, fresh mango and discreet honey, evolving towards a nuance of bitter orange, a signature of nobility.
• Palate: Delicate attack then building power, a core of fresh pineapple, a full-bodied texture, integrated oak, great keeping power and a long finish carried by a fine bitterness that extends the sapidity.

Serving temperature and tips

Serve Carmes de Rieussec 2021 around 10 to 12 °C to reveal the balance between freshness and creaminess. A large white wine glass allows it to open up and unveil its nuances of candied citrus, exotic fruits and honey. Open the bottle a few minutes before serving to let the aromas unfold, then enjoy in small sips, allowing the wine to gain breadth and relief as it oxygenates. Store bottles away from light, lying down and at a stable temperature to preserve aromatic purity and silky texture. This cuvée can be enjoyed today for its fruit brightness, while offering harmonious development over several years depending on storage conditions.

Food pairings

• Foie gras and sweet-salty variations: duck terrine, citrus jelly, mango chutney, the wine highlights finesse and balances richness with its freshness.
• Iodine-rich seafood: lightly roasted langoustine, seared scallops, play the depth of candied fruit against salinity for a delicious contrast.
• Roast poultry and mildly spiced cuisine: guinea fowl with citrus, light glaze, the melted oak supports the cooking juices without masking them.
• Blue-veined cheeses: aged Roquefort, sheep's milk blue, the Sémillon backbone embraces the salt and softens aromatic power.
• Fruit desserts and delicate pastries: candied citrus tart, pineapple baba, sabayon, the long finish answers the liveliness of the fruits.

Occasions

The 2021 Carmes de Rieussec is the ideal companion for moments when taste becomes language, when the table tells a story of precision and generosity.

• To mark a fine dining dinner, where seasonal cuisine invites a subtle reading of textures and flavours.
• As a thoughtful gift for a lover of great sweet wines, sensitive to fine balance and characterful wines.
• At dessert or at the end of a meal, when conversation lingers, time stretches and the persistent finish invites one last sip.

Specifications

• Name: 2021 Carmes de Rieussec Sauternes 750 ml
• Appellation: Sauternes AOC
• Type: Sweet white wine
• Vintage: 2021
• Grape varieties: Sémillon 87 %, Sauvignon 7 %, Muscadelle 6 %
• Alcohol by volume: Not disclosed
• Aging: 18 months in oak barrels
• Bottle size: 75 cl
• Cellaring: Several years depending on storage conditions
• Serving temperature: 10 to 12 °C