2018 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....
Pale lemon-gold colored, the 2018 Carmes de Rieussec is a little youthfully mute to begin, offering glimpses at lemon meringue pie, lime cordial and beeswax scents with touches of baking bread and marzipan. The palate is appealingly rich and packed with citrus and spice layers, finishing long and honeyed.
89-91 points
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - Wine Advocate (May 2019)

A pretty second wine of Rieussec with creamy, cooked pear and apple character. Some soufflé character, too. Medium body, medium sweet and a fresh finish.
90-91 points
James Suckling (Dec 2019)