During the Middle Ages, this great estate actually belonged to the King of England – these days, it is run by Pierre Lurton, the man behind legendary Chateau Cheval Blanc. At Yquem, a unique set of climatic and geological conditions combine to form a rare equilibrium, which epitomises all that is best about the singular winegrowing environment in Sauternes.
Chateau d’Yquem’s topsoil is warm and dry, accumulating heat thanks to smooth flat pebbles and coarse gravel. An extraordinary variety of soils is a key factor in the quality and complexity of the wine. There are just two grape varieties: Semillon (80%), which produces a rich, unctuous wine with body and structure, and Sauvignon Blanc (20%), which contributes aromas and finesse.
Chateau d’Yquem offers a myriad of well-balanced, complex aromas and flavours that generate even more harmonies in time. The experience of tasting this very special wine has been compared to “the silence that follows a piece by Mozart, in which the listener remains suffused with the music...” With hints of marmalade, liquorice and spice, the palate is sumptuous and elegant, and the never-ending finish is a legend unto itself.