The estate found in Sauternes, southern region of Bordeaux, is one of the most famous makers of dessert wine in the world. The wine showcases the classic amber hue of a sweeter wine and contains concentrated aromas of caramel, crème brûlée, and roasted apricots to name a few. As the only Sauternes chateau with a Premier Cru Supérieur rating, the demand for Yquem stays consistently high compared to their competitors.

The region’s soils contain warm and dry topsoil of pebbles and gravel with clay found underneath. The clay aids in water retention which promotes the growth of Botrytis cinerea, a fungus that, in most cases, causes ‘grey rot’. When the fungus faces specific weather conditions, it can become ‘noble rot’ which is the key to the iconic sweet and concentrated taste of the grapes unique to the Sauternes region.

The Yquem estate, originally owned by the King of England, has been producing wine since the late 1500s and sits on the highest hill in Sauternes. The vineyard produces around 75 percent Semillon and 25 percent Sauvignon Blanc grape varietals. Expert pickers make several rounds to ensure only the successfully rotted grapes are chosen for Yquem’s precise production process. Due to the sensitive nature of noble rot, the vineyards produce a low yield causing a shortage of these famed dessert wines. In fact, there are several vintages where there were no releases from Yquem.

1967 was a successful vintage for Chateau d’Yquem as it was the only wine to earn a 100-point rating from Wine Spectator for that year. Described as having hints of stonefruit, mandarin, and toasted vanilla at a younger age, these flavors only deepen in complexity with time. The 1967 specifically has a subtle balance and is considered a benchmark vintage for the decade. Top vintages can be stored for over 50 years putting the 1967 in perfect drinking condition!

Wine Spectator ~ 100

“From one of the 20th century's celebrated vintages for Yquem, this bottle stands up to all the hype--unforgettable for its purity, elegance, harmony, its 'total' everything. Powerful, yet it seems weightless on the palate, almost defying gravity as it tangos around with its vanilla, peach and apricot flavors. Seamless, nearly endless finish. Easy to understand its reputation as the greatest Yquem of the last 35 years.” (5/1999)