Château d'Yquem is a Premier Cru wine from the Sauternes region in the southern part of the Bordeaux vineyards known as Graves. In the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855, Château d'Yquem was the only Sauternes given this rating, indicating its perceived superiority and higher prices over all other wines of its type.
Château d'Yquem is world famous for their sweet wine which commands some of the highest prices on the market. Established in 1593, the chateau is located in the Sauternes region of Bordeaux and is the only property given the highest rating of Premier Cru Supérieur. The wines are created by botrytized fruit that is picked by hand in several passes by up to 150 harvesters. The 'Noble Rot' (Botrytis Cinera) on the berries depletes the water content in the berry and thus concentrates the natural sugar levels. The resultant wine tastes very sweet with a matching high level of acidity, allowing it to age for more than 50 years in the best vintages. The opulence of Yquem's youth will turn complex, rich and honeyed as it ages. Château d'Yquem's second wine is called Y, a dry Bordeaux Blanc
The vineyards are planted mostly to the Semillion grape variety. Wines from Château d'Yquem are characterized by their complexity, concentration and sweetness. A relatively high acidity helps to counteract the sweetness. Another characteristic for which Château d'Yquem wines are known are their longevity. In a good year, a bottle will only begin to show its qualities after a decade or two of cellaring and with proper care, will keep for a century or more, gradually adding layers of taste and hitherto undetected fruity overtones.
Areas under Vine: 110 hectares
Average Annual Production: 5,000 cases per annum
Soil: Gravel mixed with sand topsoil upon a waterretentative clay sub-soil.
Grape Varieties: Sémillon (80%), Sauvignon Blanc (20%)
Ageing: 42 months in new oak barrels.
Top Vintages: 1811, 1847, 1967, 1976, 1975, 1983, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2003 |
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