The 2017 Château d’Yquem is a powerful yet beautifully balanced Sauternes, crafted from 75% Sémillon and 25% Sauvignon Blanc. Marked by exceptional purity and intensity, the wine opens with expressive aromas of apricot, ripe peach, candied orange peel, and crème brûlée, layered with delicate honeyed and floral nuances.
On the palate, its 148 g/L of residual sugar delivers a rich, unctuous texture, perfectly counterbalanced by vibrant acidity that brings remarkable freshness and precision. The finish is long and complex, lifted by notes of spice and fresh ginger, giving the wine both energy and impressive ageing potential.
More About The Winery
Few names in the world of wine carry the same weight as Château d’Yquem. The only estate ever classified as Premier Cru Supérieur in the historic Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855, Yquem stands alone at the summit of Sauternes.
Its uniqueness lies in an extraordinary natural phenomenon: Botrytis cinerea, or noble rot. Under the perfect interplay of morning mists and afternoon sunshine, grapes are patiently shrivelled and concentrated, developing unparalleled richness while preserving remarkable freshness. Each berry is harvested by hand, often through multiple passes in the vineyard, selecting only those at optimal maturity.
The result is a wine of profound complexity and longevity. Layers of apricot, candied citrus, honey, saffron, and exotic spice unfold over time, supported by a vibrant acidity that gives Yquem its signature balance. Decades—sometimes centuries—of ageing reveal ever greater depth, making each bottle a living archive of its vintage.
Production is extremely limited, and in challenging years, the estate will choose not to produce the Grand Vin at all—an uncompromising commitment to quality that defines its legacy.
Château d’Yquem is not simply a wine; it is a benchmark, a reference point against which all great sweet wines are measured.
