Carmes de Rieussec - Sauternes 2023

Carmes de Rieussec - Sauternes 2023

« Carmes de Rieussec marks a step forward in Rieussec’s commitment to the environment, from growing the grapes to bottling the wine. The main goal of Carmes is to share a simple message far and wide: it’s about a wine that doesn’t take itself too seriously, aiming to be the life of the party and win over even those hesitant about the joy of popping open a bottle of Sauternes for any reason at all.» Saskia de Rothschild

Carmes de Rieussec is an accessible and generous wine. It assumes its singularities. IIt is tasty, sincere and spontaneous. Adventurous, it evolves according to the vintage. As a good Sauternes, it is a wine that can be kept for the future, but it can also, and perhaps most importantly, be drunk immediately.
No need for special occasions. It is festive, playful. 

Since the 2021 vintage, the Carmes de Rieussec has been presented in a new, sleek and elongated bottle, a departure from the classic Bordeaux bottle shape. Crafted from post-consumer recycled (PcR) glass, the bottle is made of reclaimed and recycled household glass, featuring a new, less polluting color that embodies the ethos of Chateau Rieussec with its remarkable opacity. Finally, its refreshed identity, adorned with a crown – a symbol traditionally linked to Sauternes – is given a modern twist, crowning it the star of the celebration.


2023 VINTAGE

The 2023 vintage was characterized by a winter that was wetter than the previous year but still below average, with two nights of frost causing localized damage without significant impact on the overall production. The climate then fluctuated between tropical conditions from mid-May to early July, presenting a constant challenge, and heatwaves in August and September. Thanks to the richness of the Rieussec terroirs and the good health of the vines, the harvest produced wines of exceptional quality with remarkable balance and purity.


TASTING NOTE

Carmes 2023 reveals notes of candied apricot and citrus, along with delicate floral aromas. This wine offers remarkable complexity and aromatic intensity. On the palate, we find the same notes perceived on the nose, balancing between candied richness and freshness. The texture is exceptionally refined for this modern and fresh Sauternes. Undoubtedly, a great Carmes for this 2023 vintage.