{"title":"Château d'Yquem","description":"\u003ch1 data-start=\"333\" data-end=\"359\"\u003eChâteau d'Yquem\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e Château d'Yquem is the only Sauternes estate to hold the \u003cem data-start=\"3702\" data-end=\"3725\"\u003ePremier Cru Supérieur\u003c\/em\u003e classification, renowned for its sweet wines from botrytis grapes and exceptional quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"360\" data-end=\"842\"\u003e Château d'Yquem is Sauternes' most prestigious winery, the only one to be classified as a \u003cem data-start=\"471\" data-end=\"494\"\u003ePremier Cru Supérieur\u003c\/em\u003e in 1855. The estate is renowned for the exceptional quality of its sweet white wines, produced from grapes affected by noble rot ( \u003cem data-start=\"623\" data-end=\"641\"\u003ebotrytis cinerea\u003c\/em\u003e ). The question of what gives d'Yquem its unique position is often asked. The answer lies in extreme selection, very low yields, and a tradition that has revolved around precision and craftsmanship for centuries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-start=\"844\" data-end=\"871\"\u003e Origin and history\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"872\" data-end=\"1253\"\u003e Château d'Yquem is located in the heart of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/perfectewijn.nl\/collections\/subregio-sauternes\" title=\"Sauternes wine region\"\u003eSauternes\u003c\/a\u003e , in the southern part of Bordeaux. The estate has a history dating back to the 16th century and developed into the absolute benchmark for sweet wine in the 19th century. The 1855 classification confirmed this status by placing d'Yquem above all other Sauternes producers as the only \u003cem data-start=\"1229\" data-end=\"1252\"\u003ePremier Cru Supérieur\u003c\/em\u003e .\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1255\" data-end=\"1622\"\u003e In 2019, Château d'Yquem left the \u003cem data-start=\"1294\" data-end=\"1336\"\u003eSyndicat Viticole de Sauternes et Barsac\u003c\/em\u003e , the producers' association representing the appellation. The château thus distanced itself from the appellation's organizational structure, while officially remaining within the AOC Sauternes. This decision emphasizes the estate's independent position within the region.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-start=\"1624\" data-end=\"1652\"\u003e The vineyards and grapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1653\" data-end=\"1974\"\u003e The vineyards of Château d'Yquem consist primarily of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/perfectewijn.nl\/collections\/druif-semillon\" title=\"Sémillion grape\"\u003eSémillon\u003c\/a\u003e , supplemented with \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/perfectewijn.nl\/collections\/druif-sauvignon-blanc\" title=\"More wine with Sauvignon Blanc\"\u003eSauvignon Blanc\u003c\/a\u003e . Sémillon plays a leading role due to its thin skin and susceptibility to botrytis. Its location on a high plateau with excellent drainage and varied soil structures contributes to the depth and complexity of the wine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1976\" data-end=\"2212\"\u003e Sauternes' microclimate of morning mist and sunny afternoons creates ideal conditions for noble rot. At d'Yquem, this leads to intense concentration and a very low yield per hectare every year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-start=\"2214\" data-end=\"2251\"\u003e How is Château d'Yquem made?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2252\" data-end=\"2499\"\u003e Château d'Yquem's production is extremely selective. Pickers make multiple passes through the vineyard, taking only grapes that have developed the right level of botrytis. As a result, harvests can take weeks, and yields vary considerably.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2501\" data-end=\"2848\"\u003e After manual selection, the grapes are gently pressed and a long, temperature-controlled fermentation follows. The wine then ages in oak for 20 to 36 months. Each step focuses on achieving a balance between sweetness, acidity, and aromatic intensity. The result is a wine that can age for decades and continues to evolve.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-start=\"2850\" data-end=\"2874\"\u003e Style and flavor profile\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2875\" data-end=\"3215\"\u003e Château d'Yquem is known for layers of honey, apricot, citrus, saffron, flowers, and fine herbs. The balance between high residual sugar and robust acidity never makes the wine heavy or ponderous. Even in warm years, the freshness remains a defining characteristic of the style. Older bottles often reveal caramel, dried fruit, wax, smoke, and spicy complexity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-start=\"3217\" data-end=\"3252\"\u003e Why is Château d'Yquem unique?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3253\" data-end=\"3589\"\u003e The combination of history, terroir, working methods, and timeless consistency makes the estate unique. The extremely low yields and extended aging ensure a quality that sets the standard worldwide. D'Yquem is considered not only the pinnacle of Sauternes, but one of the most exceptional wines in the world.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"y-de-chateau-dyquem-2022","title":"And Château d'Yquem 2022","description":"When it comes to the very best dessert wines available in the world, there's naturally only one winery that truly dominates the world: Château d'Yquem from the Sauternes region of France. The winery boasts a long history, reminiscent of a novel, as it features a wealth of events and colorful personalities spanning more than four centuries. Château d'Yquem was practically English. During the Middle Ages, the estate actually belonged to the King of England, who was also Duke of Aquitaine at the time. In 1453, southwestern France returned to the French crown under Charles VII and has remained French ever since. A century and a half later, in 1593, a descendant of a local noble family, Jacques Sauvage, took control of Yquem. But its history stretches back much further, to around 1826, when a new cellar was built, and the winery flourished. The international reputation was developed for Chateau d'Yquem, which is still known today as the very best dessert wine in the world.\n\n\n\n \u003ch2\u003eThe dry white wine of Château d'Yquem\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\n With an annual production of 10,000 bottles, Y (pronounced \"ee-grek\" in French) is a rare wine. It is made from the same excellent terroir and vines as Château d'Yquem. While the work in the vineyard is just as meticulous, the grapes are picked and the wine is made differently.\n\n\n \nY was traditionally made at the end of the harvest, with the last bunches on the vines. These grapes, affected to varying degrees by Botrytis cinerea, but never exceeding 15% potential alcohol, resulted in a very unusual white wine. This explains why it has been produced in small quantities and irregularly since 1959. Y changed in 1996, but without compromising its unique character, to be more in tune with the times by showcasing the qualities of freshness and crispness—essential for a modern great white wine. In 2004, the decision was made to produce Y every year. It is therefore a conscious decision to harvest certain plots of Sauvignon Blanc at the beginning of the harvest, ensuring that perfectly ripe bunches are picked. These are supplemented with Sémillon grapes picked at that fleeting stage when the grapes have reached peak ripeness, botrytis has just appeared, and the skins have turned pink. This is precisely the moment when the tannins of this grape variety are soft enough to allow the aromatic potential of the best clay soil plots to come through.\n\n\n\n \u003ch2\u003eMuch attention for this Y de Château d'Yquem 2021\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\n The wine receives considerable attention during fermentation: light, precise pressing, temperature-controlled must racking, and alcoholic fermentation in a new, aesthetically pleasing, state-of-the-art barrel room reserved specifically for this wine. Fermentation and aging on the lees take place in barrels. Only a third of these are new, and the lees are regularly stirred (bâtonnage) for ten months. The final blend is made after tasting. It usually consists primarily of Sauvignon Blanc and a few batches of Sémillon.\n\n\n\n\u003ch2\u003e Full and very powerful this Y de Château d'Yquem\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n \nThe wine is incredibly complex and truly a treat, starting from the moment you open the bottle. A powerful aroma of preserved lemon and grassy notes, along with hints of grapefruit, apple, and lime, is also noticeable. On the palate, it's a wine with considerable depth, with beautifully rounded tannins that can develop for years in bottle.","brand":"Poot","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42775809884239,"sku":"11569","price":224.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0594\/9358\/0879\/files\/YdeChateaud_Yquem2022.webp?v=1777534586"},{"product_id":"chateau-dyquem-sauternes-ac-1ccs-2019","title":"Château d'Yquem, Sauternes AC 1CCS 2019","description":"A fantastic wine that absolutely won't disappoint. It's also a must-have for any wine lover's collection. This is the perfect opportunity to acquire this legendary wine. The very best dessert wine available in the world, from one of the very best wineries, Château d'Yquem.\n\n\n\n\u003ch2\u003e The perfect conditions for Chateau d'Yquem\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n \nThe centuries-old vineyard in Sauternes is one of the things that makes the Château so unique. The estate owns no less than 113 hectares of vineyards spread across the entire commune. The vines are planted in precious soil of pebbles and coarse gravel. The subsoil consists of clay, which has good water reserves. Nothing is lacking in the vineyards, and the grapes receive everything they need. Yquem is planted with two grape varieties: Sémillon (75%), which produces a rich wine with body and structure, and Sauvignon Blanc (25%), an early-ripening grape that adds wonderfully fresh notes to this dessert wine. The estate owns the most beautiful plot of land and is the only one to be classified as a Grand Cru Classe. The grapes here are affected by the Botrytis bacteria. However, the magical phenomenon of botrytization is delicate and subject to numerous meteorological factors. If the weather is too dry, the noble rot is inhibited. And if it rains too much, the grapes no longer ripen. This can cause the entire harvest to be damaged and irreparably ruined. There are numerous risks, sometimes even causing the entire harvest to fail.\n\n\n\n \u003ch2\u003eThe impressive aroma and taste of Chateau d'Yquem Sauternes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\n When the grapes are optimally ripe, they are harvested entirely by hand to create the wine's strength and suppleness. This is one of the most important tasks during the vinification process, carried out under the supervision of winemaker Antoine Depierre. The result is impressive. The aroma reveals abundant tropical fruit, vanilla, and ripe notes of yellow fruit. Take a moment to fully appreciate these aromas; you'll also notice hints of honey and white flowers. Thanks to the long oak aging, the taste is also overwhelming, very stylish and complex, with flavor impressions of fruit and warm notes of oak and vanilla. On the palate, this dessert wine is silky and opulent. A strong character is clearly evident, as is elegance and balance. The aftertaste of Château d'Yquem is legendary and tells a different story, one that lingers on and on...","brand":"Poot","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42775843831887,"sku":"13551","price":499.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0594\/9358\/0879\/files\/chateau-d-yquem-sauternes-2019-0-75l_13551.webp?v=1771589144"},{"product_id":"chateau-dyquem-sauternes-ac-1ccs-2020","title":"Château d'Yquem, Sauternes AC 1CCS 2020","description":"There are wines that transcend the zeitgeist, the result of a fusion of nature, craftsmanship, and history. One of these legendary wines is undoubtedly the Château d'Yquem Sauternes. And the 2020 vintage is a celebration of all these elements, brought together in a bottle of pure magic.\n\n\n \nIn the heart of Bordeaux, amid rolling hills and rows of vines stretching as far as the eye can see, lies the renowned Château d'Yquem. This magnificent vineyard has enjoyed an almost mythical status for centuries and is renowned for its unparalleled Sauternes wines. The 2020 harvest was nothing short of spectacular. The year began with mild temperatures, followed by a warm, dry summer that put the vines under pressure. But as always in nature, when challenges arise, so too does the potential for greatness. The late summer rains ensured that the grapes received just the right amount of moisture, creating the perfect balance for the production of this remarkable wine.\n\n\n\n\u003ch2\u003e The smell and taste of the Chateau d'Yquem Sauternes 2020\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n \nUpon opening a bottle of Château d'Yquem Sauternes 2020, you're immediately greeted by an intoxicating aroma of apricots, honey, dried flowers, and a hint of spicy oak. The golden color shimmers like sunlight through the glass, promising a journey of sensory delight. The palate is where the magic truly comes alive. A burst of rich, luscious sweetness is balanced by a refreshing acidity. Hints of candied fruit, toasted nuts, and a subtle spice play on the tongue. The finish is long and enchanting, leaving you wanting another sip.\n\n\n\n\u003ch2\u003e The best wine from Sauternes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\n What makes Château d'Yquem so special is not just the impeccable quality of its wine, but its ability to tell a story. The 2020 vintage speaks of the challenges and triumphs of that year, of the age-old traditions woven into every drop, and of the passion and dedication of the winemakers who have made it their life's work.\n\n\n \nChâteau d'Yquem Sauternes 2020 is more than just a wine; it's an experience, a journey through time, and above all, a testament to what's possible when man and nature come together in perfect harmony. It's a wine that begs to be shared, celebrated, and cherished. Cheers to a legendary year and a wine unlike any other.","brand":"Poot","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42775871881295,"sku":"14486","price":499.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0594\/9358\/0879\/files\/chateau-d-yquem-sauternes-2020-0-75l_14486.webp?v=1771589636"},{"product_id":"chateau-dyquem-sauternes-ac-1ccs-2021","title":"Château d'Yquem, Sauternes AC 1CCS 2021","description":"The Château d'Yquem 2021 is an exquisite sweet white wine from the prestigious Sauternes appellation in Bordeaux. As the only Premier Cru Supérieur, Château d'Yquem is synonymous with exceptional quality and craftsmanship.\n\n\n\n\u003ch2\u003e About the Domain\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\n Château d'Yquem has a rich history dating back to the 14th century and is widely considered the jewel in the crown of Sauternes. The estate covers approximately 126 hectares, of which 100 hectares are in production, and has been owned by LVMH since 1999.\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003ch2\u003e Vineyard and Terroir\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\n Château d'Yquem's vineyards are planted with 80% Sémillon and 20% Sauvignon Blanc. The unique combination of clay and limestone soils, combined with the region's microclimate, promotes the development of noble rot (Botrytis cinerea), essential for producing the concentrated and complex wines for which Yquem is known.\n\n\n\n\u003ch2\u003e Vinification\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n \nThe grapes are harvested by hand in several selective harvests to collect only the finest, noble rot-free grapes. After gentle pressing, the juice undergoes fermentation and matures for approximately three years in new oak barrels. This careful vinification results in a wine of unparalleled complexity and impressive aging potential.\n\n\n\n\u003ch2\u003e Tasting notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\n The 2021 Château d'Yquem displays a brilliant golden color. On the nose, it offers a lush bouquet of honey, apricot, candied orange, and subtle notes of vanilla and spice. On the palate, it is rich and full-bodied, with a perfect balance of sweetness and crisp acidity, leading to a long, elegant finish with nuances of tropical fruit and a hint of minerality.\n\n\n\n\u003ch2\u003e Serving Temperature and Gastronomic Combinations\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n \nServe this wine chilled at 10-12°C. The Château d'Yquem 2021 pairs perfectly with foie gras, blue cheeses like Roquefort, and fruit- or almond-based desserts.","brand":"Goessens","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42775872503887,"sku":"15009","price":436.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0594\/9358\/0879\/files\/chateau-d-yquem-sauternes-ac-1ccs-2021_15009.webp?v=1771590649"}],"url":"https:\/\/perfectewijn.nl\/en\/collections\/wijnhuis-chateau-dyquem.oembed","provider":"Perfecte Wijn","version":"1.0","type":"link"}