Among the most sought-after wines of the French heritage, the Château d’Yquem 2016 – 37,5 cl stands as a signature of pure emotion. Sauternes AOC and the unique 1er Cru classé Supérieur, it embodies the excellence of patient know-how, producing a refined and luminous liqueur. This half-bottle concentrates the quintessence of the Yquem style, between caressing opulence and crystalline drive. Enthusiasts will find the voluptuousness of exotic fruit and honey, the purity of a mineral thread and the brightness of a surprisingly fresh finish. Gourmets will see a partner for haute cuisine, able to elevate foie gras, mature blue cheeses, subtly spiced dishes or a fruity dessert. Collectors will appreciate its cellaring potential, to be enjoyed calmly from 2026 and reaching its expected peak from 2036. In this intimate format, every glass becomes a pause of pure hedonism, a work both sensual and delicate that honours the French art of living.

Blend and vinification

This Sauternes is a sweet white wine composed mainly of Sémillon at approximately 75 to 80%, complemented by Sauvignon blanc at 20 to 25%. Sémillon provides a creamy texture, honeyed notes and a gentle depth, while Sauvignon blanc brings aromatic lift, floral elegance and refreshing tension. The wine is aged in barrels on fine lees for 6 months, with one-third new oak, to refine the material, polish the grain and sculpt the precision of the mouthfeel. The 2016 vintage expresses itself here with noble restraint, supported by harmonious concentration and subtle energy. The wine shows 14 % alcohol and around 135 g/L residual sugar, a balance that yields a generous liqueur upheld by a remarkably clean sapid framework. The half-bottle, both precious and sociable, offers a focused experience on the essential, inviting contemplation.

Tasting notes

• Colour: Golden and luminous, rimmed with shimmering highlights that betray fine concentration. The wine presents a caressing viscosity, announcing a generous and harmonious palate.
• Nose: Generous and refined, dominated by exotic fruit – pineapple, mango, apricot – joined by delicate floral notes, crystalline honey and subtle mineral nuances. The whole breathes aromatic clarity and mastery of time.
• Palate: Silky, precise attack, velvety texture supported by a calm line of freshness. Candied fruit, hints of fine caramel, citrus accents and remarkable persistence. The long, clean finish prolongs the sensation of purity.

Service temperature and advice

Serve between 8 and 12°C to reveal the complexity of the bouquet without flattening the texture. A few minutes of aeration before serving allows the aromas to unfold with grandeur. This half-bottle pairs brilliantly with both insider gatherings and more intimate moments, when you want a dish to sing through a harmony that is at once sensual and taut. Ready to drink from 2026, with a clearly readable balance, and at its optimum from 2036. Store the bottle on its side, away from light and vibration, so the fabric can develop slowly and nobly.

Food pairings

• Starters and appetisers: Semi-cooked or pan-seared foie gras, brioche, mild citrus jelly. The balanced sweetness embraces the richness and highlights the delicacy of the dish.
• Seafood: Lobster with mango, lacquered langoustines lightly spiced for a dialogue of brightness and velvet.
• Subtly spiced cuisine: Indian-influenced dishes with gentle spice, where the liqueur calms, structures and extends the sense of relief.
• Cheeses: Mature blue cheeses, whose saltiness and power are balanced by the wine's caress without weighing it down.
• Desserts: Compositions with yellow and exotic fruits, thin tarts, apricot or pineapple entremets, for a couture finish.

Drinking occasions

Château d’Yquem 2016 in the half-bottle is the companion for moments that matter, those you want to engrave in the memory of the senses with a simple, precious gesture. It presents itself as a collectible to share, a jewel to open to celebrate the beauty of the moment and the elegance of a lifestyle inherited from the great French gastronomic traditions.

• To mark an intimate celebration with a radiant liqueur.
• During a fine dining evening where attention to detail creates emotion.
• As an exceptional gift for a fine wine lover, for thoughtful cellaring.

Specifications

• Name : Château d’Yquem 2016 – 37,5 cl
• Appellation : Sauternes AOC
• Classification : 1er Cru classé Supérieur
• Type : Sweet white wine
• Vintage : 2016
• Grape varieties : Sémillon 75–80 %, Sauvignon blanc 20–25 %
• Alcohol : 14 %
• Residual sugar : 135 g/L
• Ageing : 6 months in barrels on fine lees, one-third new oak
• Volume : 37,5 cl
• Cellaring : to be enjoyed from 2026, optimum from 2036
• Serving temperature : 8–12°C