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Bordeaux

Château d'Yquem

4.7
(27 customer reviews)
In the Bordeaux vineyards, Château d'Yquem is a Sauternes wine estate classified as a Premier Cru Supérieur. Yquem wines are legendary sweet wines, renowned for their authenticity, modernity and the exceptional expertise of their producers. They are elegant, light wines, with a unique harmony and balance in the complexity of their aromas. The cru is renowned for its consistency, producing only great wines. Find out more
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The winemaker

History of a prestigious winery



Yquem has been a wine estate for over 400 years. The current château dates back to the 16th century, and has been listed as a historic monument since 2003. Château d'Yquem is a stable vineyard, with old vines, some a century and a half old. The vineyard estate covers more than 130 hectares, of which nearly 100 hectares are farmed.

It prospered under the direction of Françoise Joséphine de Sauvage d'Yquem, who took over management of the estate on the death of her husband in 1788. It was at this time that Château d'Yquem wines acquired international renown.

Her work was posthumously rewarded by Napoleon III at the Paris Universal Exhibition. His grandson saw the estate become the first Cru Supérieur in Bordeaux, and it is still the only Sauternes to hold this title. Château d'Yquem has been owned by the LVMH group since 1996.

Unique terroir and know-how



Sweet wines are so named because of the presence of the Botrytis Cinerea fungus. This fungus can be dreaded by winemakers, or it can become a treasure trove of aromas under very specific climatic conditions. Château d'Yquem's location combines all these conditions. It offers a climate with alternating autumn fog and dry afternoons, as well as clay soil rich in water.

The château's winegrowers have been using "selective" harvesting methods for a very long time. They were adopted in the 1820s, under the guidance of Françoise Joséphine de sauvage d'Yquem.

This method allows only grapes with Botrytis to be harvested, and it is Botrytis that gives Sauternes its acidic yet sweet flavor. Vinification takes a long time, with several cycles of pressing, fermentation and ageing, the longest stage in the production of sweet wines. Bottling takes place during the third winter.

Traditional methods are used to work the vines. Insofar as the Yquem harvest is paradoxically dependent on a vineyard "pest", all work is based on fragile balances. Respect for nature is therefore an absolute imperative. Château d'Yquem has announced its transition to organic farming in 2019.

The wines of Château d'Yquem



La Cuvée Château d'Yquem is the estate's grand vin millésimé. This Sauternes AOP- bordeaux, Premier Cru classé supérieur white wine is accomplished, balanced and incredibly elegant, with complex aromas of candied orange, yellow fruit, lemon zest, vanilla and brioche

The Y is a wine of great rarity. Only 10,000 bottles are produced per vintage. Produced from the same vines and exceptional terroir as Château d'Yquem, its harvest and elaboration differ.
22 wines available
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