One of the most coveted signatures of the French vineyard, the Château d’Yquem 2016 in magnum embodies a vision of sweet-wine perfection where time, light and the hand of man compose a work of art. The only 1er Cru Supérieur in the 1855 classification, Yquem thrills connoisseurs seeking rare emotion and impeccable craftsmanship. In this vintage, noble botrytis shapes a fruit with sunny charm, driven by crystalline freshness that lightens the richness and makes the texture dance. The large format reveals its full meaning here, extending cellaring potential, refining the texture and orchestrating a rise in complexity reminiscent of a goldsmith’s patience. On the nose, exoticism unfolds; on the palate, the caress continues; the finish stretches like a luminous thread. A wine for great houses and memorable stories, to be enjoyed as much for the present as for the promise of tomorrow.

Blend and winemaking

This Sauternes AOP is born from a historical blend, approximately 75% Sémillon for the majesty of its body and 25% Sauvignon for aromatic lift, both harvested by successive selections when noble rot concentrates the berries. This pinpoint picking, repeated as many times as necessary, expresses the haute couture of viticultural skill. After meticulous pressings and slow fermentations, the wine is aged for 20 months in new oak barrels, which defines its velvet, its spicy and toasted nuances, and its incomparable depth. The precision of the élevage supports the balance between sugar, acidity and texture so the richness never becomes heavy. In the magnum format, development is more even, the bouquet gains definition, and longevity asserts itself with nobility, for top-tier cellaring and a consistently spectacular table service.

Tasting notes

• Appearance: Luminous, brilliant gold with generous body that forms fine tears on the glass, promising a silky texture and perfectly controlled intensity.
• Nose: A fan-shaped bouquet mixing peach and pineapple with accents of coconut, nutmeg and cinnamon. Touches of toasted bread, caramel and vanilla reflect the élevage, while an airy, fresh note lifts the whole.
• Palate: A caressing attack, broad and precise mid-palate where concentration marries a bracing freshness. The finish, long and pure, unfolds an almost infinite persistence, leaving a trail of gentle spices and refined exotic fruit on the palate.

Serving temperature and advice

Serve this wine between 6 and 10°C to highlight its energy without masking the complexity of its bouquet. Opening the bottle 15 to 30 minutes before service allows the aromas to unfurl gracefully. The magnum format offers exceptional cellaring, with a peak estimated between 2025 and 2046, and likely beyond depending on cellar conditions. Store the bottle on its side, protected from light, in a cool and stable environment. This 2016, strong in aromatic foundation and uprightness, can be enjoyed young for its brightness but will gain patina, structure and nuances over the years, gradually revealing an even deeper spectrum of spices and candied fruit.

Food pairings

• Aperitifs: It stands out on a toast of mi-cuit foie gras, matching its finesse with a superb contrast of freshness and sweetness.
• Starters: The pairing with oysters offers a bold, iodine-rich and silky match that highlights the wine’s verticality and saline precision.
• Mains: The delicate flesh of a roasted chapon de Bresse with its jus reveals Yquem’s gastronomic dimension, between breadth and aromatic brilliance.
• Cheeses: A characterful match with blue-veined cheeses, playing on the wine’s opulence and the intensity of the blue for an admirably sustained finale.
• Desserts: Thin tart with roasted pineapple or candied citrus, which respond to the exotic and spicy notes without weighing down the palate.

Tasting occasions

This magnum vintage appears at moments when one celebrates the endurance of time and the beauty of a gesture. A wine for sharing and remembrance, speaking as much to the heart as to the mind.

• To mark a special occasion, where the noble act of opening the bottle underscores the importance of the moment.
• During a gourmet dinner, when the balance of sugar, acidity and texture accompanies precision cooking.
• As an exceptional gift, a refined token for a collector or a discerning epicurean.

Product details

• Name : Château d’Yquem 2016, Magnum
• Appellation : Sauternes AOP
• Classification : 1er Cru Supérieur
• Type : Sweet white wine
• Vintage : 2016
• Grape varieties : Sémillon 75%, Sauvignon 25%
• Harvest : successive selections, noble rot
• Aging : 20 months in new oak barrels
• Alcohol by volume : 14%
• Volume : 150 cl
• Cellaring : peak 2025 to 2046, great longevity
• Serving temperature : 6 to 10°C