Primus inter pares of all sweet wines on this globe. Chateau d’Yquem, an institution! Premier Cru Bordeaux

The history of Chateau d’Yquem Sauternes remains a bit of a mystery. Although vines have undoubtedly been standing there for a very long time, the current château is relatively recent. The wine of Château d’Yquem is something of a miracle. The fortuitous fusion of a unique terroir, the expertise and unceasing efforts of men and women in the vineyard and cellar, and a microscopic fungus, Botrytis cinereaIn autumn, with its morning mists followed by sunny afternoons and a light east wind, this stimulates the development of noble rot on Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc grapes, concentrating sugar and richness. Teams of pickers go through the 100 hectares of vineyard with the utmost care, attempting to harvest only the ripest, most botrytized grapes. The result in this Ch. d’Yquem Sauternes is truly unique. You must taste this at least once in your life. Naturally, it pairs well with complex desserts such as grilled pineapple or gratinated peach with an almond biscuit, but… the most hedonistic combination is undoubtedly with a beautiful plate of foie gras, toast, and apricot chutney.

Heaven on earth. Words cannot describe it! Fortunately, we also have it in 0.375L half bottles so we can introduce it to you. Just a glass to experience it. Because an experience, that is what it is!

A taste experience never to be forgotten.

The Chateau d’Yquem Sauternes 2018 starts with lime juice, grapefruit oil, and mandarin peel on the nose. But then the fireworks really begin! A whole array of honeysuckle, candied ginger, dried pineapple, lemon pastilles, chalk, and a touch of sophistication, followed by a savory undertone of slivered almonds, allspice, and breadcrumbs. The palate is an exercise in brilliance and balance, with the most exquisite creamy texture and bright, sparkling freshness that frames all the layers of tropical and citrus fruits, ending with a powerful final impression of a deep floral and herbal perfume. It is deliciously sweet, yes, but that is—paradoxically enough for a “sweet wine”—hardly the issue here. It is so complex. You can and should easily let this age for many more years; this is even for keeping for another 50 years or so!

Chateau Yquem – Bordeaux premier cru superieur

In the mid-15th century, the estate came into the hands of the Dukes of Aquitaine and subsequently the French royal family. In 1711, Léon de Sauvage purchased the estate from the royal treasury and became the sole owner. His great-granddaughter, Françoise-Joséphine de Sauvage d’Yquem, married Louis-Amédée de Lur Saluces in 1785. Yquem remained in this family until 1999. In May 2004, LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton), the main shareholders of Château d’Yquem since 1999, asked Pierre Lurton to take over the management of the estate.

To pick every grape at the right moment, each vineyard plot—indeed, every individual vine—is inspected an average of five times according to a method that has been standard since the 19th century. The grapes are pressed quickly as soon as they arrive at the cellar. The juice is then placed in new oak barrels for fermentation.

The wine ages for about 24 months in the same barrels and is regularly topped up and refilled. The philosophy of Château d’Yquem has remained the same for over 5 centuries: to do everything possible—if nature permits—to produce the best wine, with yields of just one glass per vine. Every glass of Yquem is an invitation to an experience you will never forget.