Carmes de Rieussec 2005

Carmes de Rieussec 2005 (Sauternes, France)
Cork, $30, 14%

The second label of Rieussec and produced in the same manner as the grand vin, this is 85% Semillon, 10% Sauv Blanc & 5% Muscadelle, spending 18 months in oak. Very serious then.

Golden yellow in colour, this shows an authentic Sauternes nose of honey & lemon lime tart, with a bit of custard for good measure. It’s a cake shop of a nose and rather appealing, even if its a bit compacted and dense for real sex appeal. The palate follows this with a firm, perhaps too firm, expression thats dry and all a bit too much structural bulk (and warm alcohol) for the fruit on offer.

Will definitely get better with time, it’s just a bit hard going at present. 16.3+

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Andrew Graham Avatar

Andrew Graham was once voted the 23rd most trusted wine critic on the planet. A WCA Journalism Young Gun now old hack with 25yrs as a buyer, judge, journalist, marketer and too much more.

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2 responses to “Carmes de Rieussec 2005”

  1. Tim Cohen Avatar
    Tim Cohen

    Hello Andrew,

    I had this wine not long ago at work. 05' was a spanking year for sauternes and I thought this wine was best served at about 10 degress C so to take the edge off. If you have some lefty, leave it at room temp a while.

    Cheerio

    Tim

    Reply
  2. Andrew Graham Avatar
    Andrew Graham

    I know exactly what you mean Tim – this definitely got better after it warmed up, though it still didn't impress. I think that as a diehard Riesling/aromatic whites fan, I find myself gravitating away from oaked dessert wines (ala Sauternes or Aussie Botrytis Sem) and instead attracted too late picked or Botrytised Rizza's (in particular). More acidity, less alcohol, more florals etc. More TBA's for me (if only I could afford to actually drink them….)

    Reply

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