As the absolute symbol of Bordeaux's great sweet wines, the Château d’Yquem 2022 in 37,5 cl offers a contemporary, radiant reading of Sauternes AOC. Sourced from a meticulous selection of berries under the influence of noble rot, this vintage combines sunny richness with jeweller-like precision. The framework is built on a supple, intensely aromatic body, energized by a mouthwatering freshness and a distinctive salinity, signature of great terroirs. For the collector seeking pure emotion, as well as the epicure looking for a bottle to give, this half format provides an ideal size, ready to elevate an intimate dinner or to enrich a reference cellar. Yquem's legend unfurls its style here, between luminous grace and measured depth, for a rare experience that endures through time.

Blend and vinification

Made predominantly from Sémillon complemented by Sauvignon Blanc, the 2022 benefits from hand-harvesting in successive selections to capture the precise moment when Botrytis cinerea ennobles the fruit. The juices, of exemplary purity, are aged 24 months in new oak barrels to lend patina, breadth and complexity to the material. The achieved balance rests on a high residual sugar, around 160 g/L, counterbalanced by a refined tension and delicate bitters, the true pillars of the finish. At 13,5% vol., the aromatic and tactile construction asserts itself with a calm authority, never weighing down the message. Everything here speaks of precision: drastic grape selection, meticulous ageing, pursuit of the perfect harmony between voluptuousness, freshness and fruit definition. The result reads as a wine of great endurance, both dense and elegant, destined for a cellaring of over 40 years.

Tasting notes

• Appearance: Luminous gold with amber highlights, bright and perfectly clear. The visual texture promises generous concentration, while the viscosity reveals the forthcoming amplitude. Crystal-clear transparency signals juice purity and precision of extraction.
• Nose: A fan-shaped bouquet of kaleidoscopic complexity. Candied fruits, apricot and poached pear, orange peel in marmalade, followed by delicate flowers of linden, frangipani and lily of the valley. Then come beeswax, light honey, quince nuances and a touch of sweet spice. The nobility of the botrytis gives brilliance, the élevage refines the contours and draws a serene depth.
• Palate: A caressing attack, dense and creamy texture that embraces the palate without ever saturating it. The fruity sap marries a salivating frame, punctuated by a characteristic salinity and noble bitters on the finish. The length is impressive, clean and persistent, carried by an internal freshness that balances the sweet richness. An admirably held architecture, with a contemporary radiance.

Serving temperature and tips

Serve the Château d’Yquem 2022 between 8 and 10°C in generously shaped white wine glasses to allow its complexity to breathe. A very gentle decanting, a few minutes before service, can reveal more floral and honeyed layers without compromising the wine's uprightness. The half-bottle offers an immediate and precise approach to the vintage, while being able to wait patiently in a cellar under stable conditions, away from light and vibrations. Evolution will gain in harmony, the notes of candied fruit and citrus rounding towards nuances of nougat, saffron and quince paste. Its ageing potential exceeds several decades, promising renewed emotion with every opening.

Food pairings

• Foie gras and festive poultry: Yquem's structured sweetness and salinity embrace the texture of foie gras or a roasted poultry with mild spices, revealing a dialogue between creaminess, relief and freshness.
• Shellfish and noble fish: poached lobster, roasted langoustines, sea bass. The wine brings a citrus-honey counterpoint that highlights iodine and exalts the finesse of the flesh.
• Characterful cheeses: Roquefort, aged blues or veined cheeses. Controlled sweetness and noble bitters wrap the saltiness of the cheese for a spectacular harmony.
• Delicately spiced cuisine: lacquered duck, citrus glazes, candied ginger. The wine's sugar-acid balance answers the aromatic complexity without overpowering the dish.
• Refined desserts: thin tart with candied citrus, almond-apricot entremets. Preserve balance by favouring desserts less sweet than the wine to showcase its brilliance.

Moments to enjoy

The Château d’Yquem 2022 in 37,5 cl is the ideal companion for moments you wish to elevate without ostentation. Its discreet format makes it a perfect choice for a tasting for two, an insiders' table or an unforgettable gift. It sits equally well at grand celebrations as in the intimacy of a precious pause.

• To celebrate a unique event where one seeks the precision of gesture and signature emotion.
• At a gourmet dinner where precise service and tailored pairings reveal its choral dimension.
• As an exceptional gift for a knowledgeable enthusiast, symbol of a French art of living.

Specifications

• Name : Château d’Yquem 2022
• Appellation : Sauternes AOC
• Classification : 1er Cru classé Supérieur
• Type : Sweet white wine
• Vintage : 2022
• Grapes : Sémillon 80%, Sauvignon Blanc 20%
• Alcohol : 13,5% vol.
• Residual sugar : around 160 g/L
• Ageing : 24 months in new oak barrels
• Harvest : hand-harvested, successive selections
• Capacity : 37,5 cl
• Cellaring : 40 years and more
• Serving temperature : 8–10°C
• Critical scores : 100/100 James Suckling, 98/100 Robert Parker, 18+/20 Jancis Robinson