Sauternes

2018

First Growth

75% Semillon
25% Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Bordeaux

ESTATE HISTORY

Château d'Yquem was almost English. During the Middle Ages, in fact, the estate belonged to the King of England, who was also Duke of Aquitaine at the time. In 1453, southwest France was once again brought under the dominion of the French crown by Charles VII and has stayed French ever since.

TERROIR

Soil: Smooth flat pebbles and coarse gravel with a clay subsoil. The estate covers 113 hectares of vines, and the vineyard production area spreads out over about 100 hectares, which take advantage of the warm, dry top soils with gravel. The clay soils below can build good water reserves. 

VITICULTURE

Grape growing at Château d'Yquem remains very traditional. Fertilizer is exclusively organic and used sparingly.

WINEMAKING

Unusually in Sauternes, fermentation at Yquem takes place in barrel to maintain maximum control over this most delicate and mysterious part of winemaking. Only new barrels are used each year. These are made with the finest stave oak from forests in the eastern part of central France. The alcohol content at Château d'Yquem varies from 12.5° to 14.5° according to the sugar content of the must. The wine is aged in barrels for 20 months (with 15 rackings and a light fining).

TASTING & FOOD PAIRINGS

97/100 points James Suckling

An extremely polished and refined d’Yquem with lightly cooked peaches and mangos and an overlay of vanilla and cream with some lemon meringue. Orange peel, too. What is striking is the texture, which is creamy and so fine. The tannins give the wine energy and beauty. The finish is extremely long and impressive. So clean and refined. Not heavy at all, but vivid and clean as crystal. Goes on for minutes. Elegance with stature is a good description. Drinkable now, but better in 2023 and onwards. 

97/100 points Decanter Jane Anson

As ever with Yquem, patience was the key, taking in the grapes slowly but surely over 17 days harvest that extended well into October. The results in the glass are intense and glossy, full of satin-textured apricot and white peach flavours. There are exotic fruits of pineapple and mango but winemaker Sandrine Garbay has kept a focus on fresher flavours of lime zest and citrus that balance out the natural richness and concentration. Pretty closed right now, but there is power and balance here, an excellent Yquem.