The 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.
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...
