Chateau d'Yquem

In the world of sweet wine Chateau d'Yquem is King; the 2001 remains one of few wines ever to be awarded 100pts by critic Robert Parker, his comments include: 'set to take its place among the most legendary vintages of the past...will age effortlessly for 75+ years'. This unique estate dominated the 1855 classification of Sauternes and Barsac; with its own private ranking of Premier Cru Superieur. Being literally in a league of its own, the wines of Chateau d'Yquem are several times as expensive as those of its neighbours.

This great Bordeaux estate was originally owned by the Lur-Saluces family, but is now owned by luxury goods company LVMH. Pierre Lurton, who also manages Chateau Cheval Blanc took charge in 2004.

There are 113 hectares of vines, of which 80% is Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Semillon. The grand vin is made from grapes which are affected by a fungus called Botrytis Cinerea or 'Noble Rot' - this drains the grapes of water causing intense and concentrated sweet flavours and increased ageing potential. There is also a dry white called 'Y' which is a distinctive wine; being powerful and bone dry, but with rich botrytis characters.

Chateau d'Yquem is special and memorable, ranking among the top white vineyards of France, and famous throughout the world. Homage is paid in written word from leaders and writers such as Thomas Jefferson and Marcel Proust among others. Yquem is, it seems, history, poetry, perhaps life itself rolled into a wine and bottled. Yet Yquem's reputation rests not on a flashy style, but rather a fabulous elegance and poise: the botrytis affected grapes produce sweet acacia honey aromas. The texture is ripe and rounded with amazing depth and precise, impeccable balance. This is a wine where, if your wallet can take the strain, you will not be disappointed!