2015 Carmes de Rieussec

Being owned by Domaines Barons de Rothschild (of Lafite fame) has been a boon for Chateau Rieussec. Since taking over the property in 1984, the planted vineyard area has increased from nearly 40 hectares to roughly 90 hectares today. Investment has also been made in the cellars, and the winemaking team are now better placed to work with the multiple small lots stemming from various parcels and picking runs through the vineyard. Across the various plots the plantings are broken down as 90% Semillon, 7% Sauvignon Blanc, and 3% Muscadelle, and the wines are aged in roughly 50% new French oak. The chateau also produce a second wine called Carmes de Rieussec, which is subjected to the same rigour in the vineyard and winery as the first wine, however the emphasis with Carmes is more on beautiful aromatics and citrus flavours. Barrels showing more of these traits are selected to be bottled as Carmes de Rieussec after 18 months of elevage.

Other Reviews....
Composed of 87% Sémillon, 7% Sauvignon Blanc and 6% Muscadelle, the 2015 Carmes de Rieussec has a pale to medium golden color and a lovely nose of lemon tart, orange marmalade and preserved apricots with hints of musk perfume and candied ginger. Medium to full-bodied, richly fruited and with compelling savory and earthy layers intermingled with the citrus preserves, it finishes with great freshness and length. Drink 2019 - 2030.
91 points
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - Wine Advocate (Feb 2018)

A wine of joy and pure pleasure, the 2015 Carmes de Rieussec is absolutely delicious. Rieussec's second wine is bright and lifted, yet shows plenty of depth in its pineapple, orange peel, mint, jasmine and lightly honeyed notes. Although the Grand Vin gets most of the attention at Rieussec, the Carmes is truly superb in 2015 and well worth taking a look at. Drink 2018-2030.
93 points
Antonio Galloni - Vinous (Dec 2017)

Very pretty second sweet wine of Rieussec with a medium to full body and a layered and tight mouthfeel. Medium sweet and vivid. Pineapple, green papaya and mangoes. Flavorful finish. Hard to drink now. Why not?
93 points
James Suckling (Jan 2018)