Late 2023, Corlien was fortunate to taste a few wines not yet available in South Africa. One of the wines was R de Rieussec 2021. A dry white from the communes of Fargues in the appellation of Sauternes in Bordeaux. This area is better known for their botrytised sweet wines, like the famous Chateau d’Yquem and indeed Rieussec itself. The blend is roughly 50/50 Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. The Sauvignon Blanc portion is fermented in stainless steel and Semillon is fermented in oak, some new and some first fill. Both are left on lees for 6 months, with regular stirring. The result is a wine of great complexity and remarkable minerality. Some granadilla, lavender floral and inviting fennel notes leads to a round yet fresh palate. There are so many layers to this wine, with lime, flint and fragrant fynbos playing in the glass. It’s the mineral core that made Corlien fall in love, helped by the fresh prawns and scallops on the table of course. In summary, a wine of great concentration and purity. ANALYSIS: ALC 12.5% | pH 3.14 | TA 4.59 g/l
