Château d’Yquem 2008

Chateau d'Yquem is one of those mythical wines, known throughout the world by name and bearing a unique imprint in the style of the prestigious estate. The legend of this exceptional Sauternes goes back through 400 years of history. Thanks to the archives of the chateau and the Gironde department, early records already attest to a certain way of managing the vineyard and the practice of late harvest at Yquem from the end of the 16th century. The chateau and then the vineyard were managed under the influence of the Sauvage family. Françoise Josephine d'Yquem married Count Louis Amedee Lur-Saluces in 1785. Following his death three years later, she took over the estate, gradually transforming Chateau d'Yquem into a property with a borderless reputation.

The hard work of Lady Yquem was rewarded only after her death. In 1855, Chateau d'Yquem became the only property recognized as a Premier Cru Superior, under the official classification established at the request of the Emperor Napoleon III for the World Fair in Paris. Since then, Chateau d'Yquem has entered a new era, thanks to the acquisition of the property by the LVMH Moet Hennessy-Louis Vuitton group.

Of the 113 hectares of vines belonging to Chateau d'Yquem, only a hundred are in production, with Semillon representing the majority of the grapes planted (75%), supplemented by Sauvignon Blanc (25%). Chateau d'Yquem benefits from an exceptional micro-climate, whereby the Ciron, a small tributary of the Garonne, plays a decisive role in the development of noble rot. It is thanks to the morning fogs of autumn that Botritys cinerea grows on the bunches, drying them out and concentrating the sugars and aromas within.

Chateau d'Yquem is famous for having mastered the process of harvest through successive sorting. From vineyard work to bottling, the production of a Sauternes wine from Chateau d'Yquem illustrates a know-how requiring an extremely long process, with close attention paid at each step.

With a yield limited to one glass per vine, Chateau d'Yquem is a Sauternes wine whose rareness contributes to its prestige. Their eponymous wine is recognizable by its aromatic expression, unique texture and lingering length on the palate. The young vintages display the expressiveness of fruity notes, with aromas of apricot and orange, sometimes evolving woody notes of vanilla or toasted bread, towards the light spicy touches of cinnamon, saffron and liquorice. Designed to be kept, the Sauternes of Chateau Yquem evolves sumptuously throughout time, developing delicious flavors of dried and candied fruits, delicately chiseled by the freshness of floral notes. Harmony, balance, complexity and finesse, the Sauternes of Chateau d'Yquem is a style in itself.

The blend usually contains roughly 75% Sauvignon Blanc and 25% Semillon. The wines undergo temperature controlled must racking and fermentation in a brand new vat room dedicated fully to this wine. The blend is aged on lees in barrels (of which only around one third are new and the rest from one previous Yquem wine) for a period of 10 months, with regular stirring.

"Impressively balanced, with the fruit rich, intense with a golden glow. The acidity is as important as the freshness, giving a delicious lift to the core of dry, concentrated botrytis. Obviously a great wine for long-term aging in a great Sauternes year." - 97 Points, Wine Enthusiast

"Sporting a medium lemon-gold color, the 2008 d'Yquem is forward, displaying an already complex, compellingly savory/earthy nose of toasted almonds, cloves, damp soil, crushed stones and yeast extract with a core of peach preserves, lemon tart, dried pineapple and allspice. Rich, spicy and decadent in the mouth, with a racy backbone lifting the fruit, it finishes long and multilayered." - 95 Points, Robert Parker

"Beautiful lemon cream, chamomile and fried pineapple notes, with a refreshing, almost floral edge running along as well. Creamy coconut and green plum notes fill in on the finish, which has admirable length. A restrained, lighter style, with lovely precision." - 94 Points, Wine Spectator

Producer: Château d’Yquem

Country: France

Region: Bordeaux

Varietal: Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc

Appellation: Sauternes

Vintage: 2008

Size: 750ml