Chateau d' Yquem - 'Y d' Yquem' White 2022

Grape

Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon

Tasting notes

Y d’Yquem 2022 is a highly acclaimed dry white from Château d’Yquem, crafted from 60% Sauvignon Blanc and 40% Sémillon. It delivers a vibrant, aromatic profile of fresh pear, pineapple, lime zest, and white flowers, balanced by a powerful, structured palate with impressive phenolic density. The texture is satiny and precise, leading into a long, chalky, mineral-driven finish that brings both elegance and depth.

Expert Ratings

Wine Independent (Lisa Perrotti-Brown): 94+ points

James Suckling: 94 points

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.