Chateau d'Yquem

"I do not call Yquem a wine because there are an infinite number of “wines” as such, but Yquem is unique. I prefer the word nectar…"
- Frederic Dard

Dessert and wine often go hand in hand, and Chateau d'Yquem has harnessed the power to combine the two into wine better than any other producer. The amber hues radiating from each bottle have mesmerized wine aficionados for centuries, and the delicate richness of each sip has defied expectations of what a sweet wine can do. Thomas Jefferson, Tsar Alexander 1st of Russia, and Emperor Meiji Chateau have each expressed their intense love for d'Yquem wine, illustrating d'Yquem's prowess for creating confectionary delights that are intoxicatingly sweet and splendidly irresistible. 

d'Yquem Wine: Bordeaux's Sweet Escape

Founded in the 1300s in Sauternes, the southern region of Bordeaux, Chateau d'Yquem has poked and prodded at their formula for 700 years to craft the world's most famous dessert wine. After early ownership from the wealthy Eyquem family in the 15th and 16th centuries, the chateau was sold to the Duke of Aquitaine, King of England in the Middle Ages. Yquem was eventually passed back to French hands when the notable Jacques de Sauvage leased the estate from the French government, marking the beginning of 2 century-long ownership. During this time, Yquem became the only chateau with a Premier Cru Supérieur rating, as the French authoritative body felt Yquem was too pristine to be classed with others.

Relatively stable ownership for over 400 years from the Sauvage and Lur Saluces families came to a screeching halt in 2004 when, after 8 years of purchasing enough shares, the LVMH Group took over. Though there was initial controversy regarding the move, the group has rebranded Yquem's marketing and refined the flavors of each vintage. 

Chateau d'Yquem: On Top of Sauternes

Chateau d'Yquem's reign at the top of Sauternes can be seen as literal and figurative, as the estate is located on the region's highest hill while also producing its greatest wine. The soils on the massive 113-hectare vineyard 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 vineyard produces around 75% Semillon and 25% 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. When combined with Chateau d'Yquem's rigorous winemaking and selection processes, some vintages are omitted from public consumption. 

To Drink Young or Old

There has often been much debate surrounding the ideal drinking period for Chateau d'Yquem wines, many believe it is absurd to drink vintages younger than 13 years while the chateau advises its customers to drink whenever they please. Depending on the year one decides to drink, they may come across different flavors and aromas. When drinking a young vintage, Yquem has noted the wine will contain aromas marked by fruit, specifically apricot, mandarin, and tropical fruit, along with vanilla oak. For older vintages, complex aromas of dried fruit, spice (cinnamon and licorice), and flowers will be prominent.

Each drink, however, is known for its long aftertaste that stays on the palate for a remarkably long time. With a silky initial feeling, the wine fills out afterward, maintaining a balance of sugar and acidity with a touch of bitterness. Ultimately, there is no denying the unique flavors and aromas of each Yquem vintage.

Sweetest of Them All? 2009 Double 100-Pointer

2009 is possibly one of the storied estate's most superb vintages, as picture-perfect weather painted the harvest season until the final picking took place on October 19th. Described as a mix between the opulent '90 and intense '03 vintages, the final product was a true masterpiece. Made from extraordinarily sweet and ripe grapes, the blend simply dazzled critics. Lisa Perrotti Brown stated the 2009 d'Yquem's "Big, concentrated, decadently rich palate is fantastically balanced," while Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate noted an "endless and superb finish concluding with a pristine harmony."

Made from 80% Semillon and 20% Sauvignon Blanc, the vintage received perfect scores from the two critics with additional 97-point scores from Neal Martin and Decanter Magazine, and a 97-100-point score from Vinous.

Such high praise deserves to be rewarded - add a bottle of this effervescent sweetness to your cellar and share with friends and family. Pair with quail, duck, or other poultry to fully extrapolate the unique flavors and aromas of the 2009 d'Yquem.