At the apex of fine wines, an icon among icons, the Château d’Yquem 2022 in magnum asserts sovereign grace. A 1er Cru Supérieur of the Sauternes AOP, it marks a vintage of chiselled, generous and radiant style. What makes 2022 unique is a substance of rare intensity, supported by a residual sugar of 160 g/l, among the highest in the domaine’s recent history, yet wonderfully balanced by sparkling acidity. The palate, with a velvety, sumptuous texture, unfurls layers from exotic fruit to candied citrus, finishing on a refined saline note. The first organic-certified vintage, aged 24 months in new oak, 2022 combines purity, depth and precision. In magnum, the symphony gains further harmony and potential, destined for a monumental ageing potential to carry it through decades with panache.

Blend and winemaking

Crafted with the estate’s legendary exacting standards, 2022 is predominantly made from Sémillon for body and noble texture, with Sauvignon Blanc bringing tension and aromatic lift. Berries picked at perfect botrytised ripeness reveal the quintessence of this legendary terroir. The élevage, carried out for 24 months in new oak, refines the framework without ever masking it. This vintage, organic-certified, illustrates a clear contemporary vision of the Yquem style, where richness never becomes heaviness but controlled depth and savoury energy. The alcohol level of 13.5% reinforces the balance, while the magnum format favours a slow, majestic evolution.

Tasting notes

• Colour : luminous, brilliant gold with delicate tears that announce a sumptuous texture.
• Palate : an enchanting bouquet of quince, mango, white rose, candied citrus zest and orange marmalade, underlined by a sense of purity and floral precision.
• Palate : generous attack, creamy, velvety texture, savoury intensity of exotic fruits, vivid tension driven by crystalline acidity, subtle saline bitterness that signs the finish. The persistence is long, airy and noble.

Serving temperature and advice

Serve between 10 and 12°C in large white wine glasses to reveal its full palette. Too cold will freeze the complexity; too warm will dull its lift. Open the bottle a few minutes before serving; a gentle airing is enough to unveil the aromatic layers. The magnum format intensifies harmony and extends the wine’s life. Store in a cellar, away from light, in a cool, stable environment. 2022 has an exceptional ageing potential, with a tasting window that stretches across the coming decades.

Food pairings

• Aperitifs : foie gras canapés, jars of smoked eel, lightly salted roasted cashews.
• Starters : semi-cooked foie gras with citrus, scallop carpaccio, langoustines sautéed in lemon butter.
• Main courses : free-range poultry glazed with mild spices, roasted lobster with saffron, delicately balanced sweet-and-savoury dishes inspired by Asian cuisine.
• Cheeses : blue-veined cheeses such as Roquefort or Stilton, aged Comté served with a touch of bitter orange.
• Desserts : thin tart with candied citrus, mango-vanilla entremet, shortbread with yellow fruits.

Occasions

An Yquem in magnum bestows a ceremonial aura. It suits celebrations and rare moments where the beauty of the gesture meets the memory of the senses.

• To mark a unique event with brilliance and delicacy.
• At a multi-course gourmet dinner where the wine shapes the tempo.
• As an exceptional gift for a connoisseur of taste.

Details

• Name : Château d’Yquem 2022, Magnum
• Appellation : Sauternes AOP
• Classification : 1er Cru Supérieur
• Type : Sweet wine
• Vintage : 2022
• Grape varieties : Sémillon 80%, Sauvignon Blanc 20%
• Alcohol : 13.5%
• Residual sugar : 160 g/l
• Ageing : 24 months in new oak
• Certification : Organic agriculture
• Volume : Magnum
• Ageing potential : several decades, estimated window 2034 to 2092
• Serving temperature : 10–12°C