The Benchmark
Château d'Yquem
AOC SauternesWhite wine
Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, Muscadelle
13.5%
Barrel
8-10°C
Great with foie gras on brioche or Roquefort. Also ideal with Asian-inspired dishes with a subtle spiciness, such as duck breast with orange and ginger glaze, or as a counterpoint to desserts such as apricot tart – provided the sweetness of the dessert remains restrained.
Its roots date back to the 16th century, when the land came into the possession of the Sauvage family. Under Françoise Joséphine de Sauvage d'Yquem, selective harvesting in many passes became established – the basis for the magic of noble rot. In 1855, Yquem was the only estate to be elevated to Premier Cru Supérieur. Later, the Lur-Saluces family continued the line; today, the château belongs to LVMH and remains true to its principle of not bottling Yquem in poor years.
Across vintages, Yquem has aromas of ripe stone fruit, candied lemon, honey, saffron and fine beeswax, carried by noble wood. Creamy, dense yet fresh on the palate, with precise acidity and fine-grained sweetness; the structure is crystal clear, the finish very long and complex, often with hints of almonds, tea and salty minerality.
Selective hand harvesting in several stages, only botrytis-affected, very ripe berries. Slow pressing, fermentation in wood and tanks; followed by around 18–24 months of ageing, partly in Allier oak (some new wood).
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