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Château Yquem Sauternes 2015
$502.50
Château Yquem Sauternes 2015
$502.50
Sauternes
2015
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
2015 develops preciseness, complexity and exuberance, and reveals a lovely minerality. On the palate, the wine is incredibly balanced, pure and with a great botrytised fruit. This Château d'Yquem 2015 reveals exceptional acidity and tension. The levels of acidity and sugar come close to the records of the estate, and these help make the Yquem 2015 an exceptional vintage in line with the legendary 2001 and 2009 vintages.
Great with foie gras, perfect with oysters and other seafoods, or try it with simple white meat and poultry dishes.