Château d'Yquem
The greatest sweet wine of Sauternes — the only Premier Cru Supérieur in the 1855 classification. Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc blend affected by noble rot.
About Château
Château d'Yquem occupies a unique position: it is the only wine in the entire 1855 classification of Bordeaux to receive the rank of Premier Cru Supérieur — a tier above the First Growths of the Médoc. The estate produces sweet wine from Sémillon (about 80% of blend) and Sauvignon Blanc (about 20%), with grapes affected by Botrytis cinerea (noble rot) on the vine. Harvest occurs in multiple passes through the vineyard over several weeks, with pickers selecting only individual berries showing perfect botrytis concentration. The economic reality is staggering — yields are tiny (one to two glasses of wine per vine), and in vintages judged inadequate, no Yquem is declared at all (1972, 1974, 1992, 2012). Aging potential is essentially indefinite; 19th-century vintages remain drinkable, and modern vintages will age 50+ years easily.
Flagship wines
- Château d'Yquem (Sauternes)
- Ygrec (Y) dry white
Editorial notes
Yquem is not declared every year. The 1972, 1974, 1992, 2012 vintages produced no grand vin. Aging potential is essentially indefinite — the estate sees its wines as multi-generational. Modern collectors should plan for 25+ year cellaring from strong vintages.