Château 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"
WHY BUY IT ?
- A legendary wine, the ultimate Sauternes
- To drink young or to leave to age: tasting is always magical.
- The transmission of generations to generations of incomparable know-how, the requirement and the quality of every moment make Yquem a wine with a delicate sensation and a complex harmony.
History
For more than 35 years, Count A. de Lur-Saluces, at the head of Château d’Yquem, has perpetuated the family history with one philosophy: to offer without concession an optimal quality, for each vintage signed. In May 2004, Pierre Lurton was entrusted with the management of the estate by LVMH, the main shareholder of Château d’Yquem since 1999. From a large line of Bordeaux winegrowers, Pierre Lurton, who presides over the destinies of Château Cheval Blanc and Andean Horse in Argentina, has all the qualities to pursue the legend of the estate in the respect of tradition and openness to modernity.
Thus, from Tsar Alexander of Russia to the Court of the Emperor Meiji, through Thomas Jefferson, the history of the Château d’Yquem crosses the vintages, its legend remaining intact. Only a 1er Cru Supérieur can boast of stopping a vintage when it is not good enough for them (1910, 1915, 1930, 1951, 1952, 1964, 1972, 1974, 1992 and 2012), Château d’Yquem remains apart in the galaxy of Grands Vins de Bordeaux! And when the magic operates, no one would resist his charms…
The estate also produces a very exclusive second wine : Y d’Yquem.
Terroir & Vinification
The vineyard of Château d’Yquem is composed of 113 hectares where only a hundred hectares is exploited. The rest is left fallow after the uprooting of old vines and replanted with new vines to ensure the quality and excellence of the wine. This vineyard is planted with 80% Sémillon and 20% Sauvignon Blanc. A set of climatic and geological circumstances combined in a rare balance makes it possible to truly consider Yquem as a “genius of the place”. The culture mode remains very traditional. In order to maintain the balance of this exceptional soil, the only compost used is farm manure.
The twenty winemakers of the field work every day in respect of the land for which they are responsible. In the cellar, fermentation is carried out in barrels to promote the perfect conduct of this stage. The aging is done in barrels, completely new at each harvest and made in oak stave.
Tasting
At the tasting, this wine will captivate you with its exceptional color and its unique taste. From dry to very mature fruits and jam aromas, you will see that when magic works, no one would resist his charms…
Their Team
- Owner: LVMH Group
- Property Manager: Pierre LURTON
- Chief Executive Officer: Jean-Philippe LEMOINE
- Cellar Master: Tony EL-KHAWAND
- Operations Manager: Lorenzo PASQUINI