A true global icon, Château d’Yquem is the only estate classified as Premier Cru Supérieur in Sauternes since 1855. The 2019 vintage perfectly illustrates the estate’s pursuit of excellence — a rare harmony of aromatic power, purity and freshness. Each sip reveals the mastery of noble rot (botrytis cinerea), the natural phenomenon that concentrates the sweetness and aromas of the grapes.

Blend and Winemaking

Château d’Yquem 2019 is composed mainly of Sémillon (around 75%) and Sauvignon Blanc (25%), sourced from the estate’s finest parcels. Harvesting is entirely manual, carried out in several selective passes to pick only perfectly botrytized berries. Fermentation takes place slowly in new French oak barrels, followed by 20 months of aging in the château’s cellars. This meticulous process creates a wine of extraordinary complexity and texture.

Tasting Notes

The color is bright gold with amber reflections. The nose exudes aromas of acacia honey, candied apricot, mango, vanilla and spice. On the palate, the sweetness is balanced by vibrant freshness, revealing notes of exotic fruit, candied citrus, dried flowers and gentle spice. The finish is endlessly long, both airy and voluptuous, expressing the pure essence of noble rot.

Serving Temperature and Tasting Advice

Serve between 10 and 12°C to reveal its full aromatic range. It can be enjoyed now for its youthful brilliance or cellared for decades, evolving toward notes of dried fruit, caramel and saffron with age.

Food Pairings

Château d’Yquem 2019 pairs beautifully with:

• Aperitifs: foie gras terrine, toasted brioche with honey.
• Starters: morel risotto, lobster with vanilla, scallop carpaccio.
• Main Courses: roasted poultry with dried fruits, mild prawn curry, veal sweetbreads.
• Cheeses: Roquefort, Fourme d’Ambert, Bleu d’Auvergne.
• Desserts: tarte Tatin, honey sabayon, candied fruits.

Occasions

Château d’Yquem 2019 is a wine of emotion and contemplation. Perfect for special celebrations, fine dining or intimate gourmet moments, it is a timeless treasure to savor or to keep. Its complexity, freshness and harmony make it a masterpiece of the Sauternes appellation and one of the world’s greatest sweet wines.

Characteristics

• Type: Sweet White Wine
• Appellation: Sauternes AOC
• Classification: Premier Cru Supérieur (1855)
• Vintage: 2019
• Blend: Sémillon (75%), Sauvignon Blanc (25%)
• Aging: 20 months in new French oak barrels
• Volume: 75 cl
• Alcohol content: 14.5% vol
• Origin: Sauternes, Bordeaux, France
• Producer: Château d’Yquem
• Profile: rich, refined, complex and harmonious

Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health, in summer in moderation.