CHATEAU D'YQUEM

Château d’Yquem is the crown jewel of Sauternes, the premier sweet wine appellation in Bordeaux. Established in 1593 when Jacques de Sauvage acquired the estate, it gained its legendary status by being the only Sauternes vineyard classified as Premier Cru Supérieur in the 1855 Bordeaux classification . The estate later passed into the hands of the Lur‑Saluces family in 1785 and remained under their stewardship until its acquisition by LVMH in 1999, continuing both tradition and quality under modern ownership.

The vineyard spans around 126 ha, of which approximately 100 ha are under production at any time—with roughly 20 ha resting each year as young vines cycle in . It is planted predominantly with Sémillon (about 80%) and Sauvignon Blanc (20%) . Every autumn, under ideal misty mornings followed by sunny afternoons with easterly breezes, the team conducts multiple selective passes—five to six, sometimes even up to ten—to hand‑harvest only grapes afflicted by Botrytis cinerea (“noble rot”).

Château d’Yquem wines are celebrated for their extraordinary balance of opulent sweetness and vibrant acidity, developing immense complexity and remarkable aging potential. With proper cellaring, many vintages can evolve gracefully over a century or more, transitioning from tropical and stone fruit notes in youth to caramel, butterscotch, spice, and honeyed tertiary flavors as they age.

Château d’Yquem remains a wine of mythic status—rooted in centuries of expertise, terroir, and patience. It is a masterpiece of extension: harvesting, fermentation, and aging techniques are all designed to highlight its unique microclimate, noble rot selection, and unparalleled concentration. Whether young or mature, Yquem consistently defines the golden standard for sweet wine excellence.