Chateau Yquem

Sauternes Protected Designation of Origin and Superior First Growth

The wines of Chateau Yquem

LVMH purchased Chateau Yquem in 1997 (prior to that year, it belonged to the Lur de Saluces family), it’s the only Premier Cru Superieur of Sauternes and Barsac listed in the classification of 1855. The estate did not produce any cuvee in 1910, 1915, 1930, 1951, 1952, 1964, 1972, 1974, 1992, and 2012. Located 45km from Bordeaux (left bank), next to Chateau Guiraud, Chateau Rieussec, Clos Haut Peyraguey, Chateau Lafaurie Peyraguey, and Chateau Raymond Lafon, the Yquem vineyard covers 100 hectares nestled on top of a sandy-clay terrace, composed of a thin layer of sand on a clay dome. Chateau Yquem is a legendary estate. Since the 19^th century, it features 100km of buried pipes to drain rainwater. The 7,000 vine stocks/ha are about 35 years old and are grown according to the sustainable winegrowing principles. The vineyard is made of 75% Semillon and 25% Sauvignon.

The prestigious Chateau Yquem produces two White Bordeaux wines: Chateau Yquem Great Wine and a second wine called" Y d'Yquem". In its best years, Yquem's Great Wine is very opulent, mouth-filling, powerful, unctuous, and full-bodied. It displays orange marmalade, pineapple, apricot, peach, creme brulee, spices and coconut notes. It's got great length on the palate. It should be kept in the cellar for at least 15 years before being opened, but it's a wine that could age up to 100 years depending on the vintage. This Great Wine is luxuriously aged in new oak for 42 months. Yquem's second wine offers an aromatic palette of candied yellow fruit, quince, frangipane, mild spices, with a hint of mineral notes. This wine comes from the same plot than Yquem's first wine, but it was produced with non-botrytis grapes from 1959 to 1996. Since 1997, the grapes have been harvested once they are very ripe for the Sauvignon vines, and right before they turn into noble rot for the Semillon vines. This is a wine that should be cellared at least 10 years to express its full potential. Yquem's best vintages, with scores that are higher than 96/100, are: 2015, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2003, 2001, 1997, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1986, 1983, 1976, 1975, 1967, 1959, 1955, 1949, 1947, 1945, and 1937. Yquem got the perfect score of 100 from Parker in: 1811, 1847, 1921, 1945, 1975, 1976, 2001 et 2009. Chateau Yquem's reviews are outstanding. The estate got 3 stars in The RVF (French Wine Magazine’s) Guide Vert, and the prices are up to this legendary great wine, with an amazing ageing potential. As for wine and food pairing, Yquem's wines are perfect with Roquefort puff pastries, roast duck with honey and balsamic vinegar, lobster with mango sauce, duck breast with peaches, tajine with dried fruit, or a slice of blue cheese.

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