White dry
An outstanding dry white Bordeaux, born at the legendary Château d’Yquem, revealing a completely different facet of this iconic name: precise, mineral-driven and refined.
This is a wine in which ‘Sauvignon Blanc’ brings energy, tension and aromatic precision, while ‘Sémillon’ contributes texture, depth and subtle maturity. “Y” is not a compromise between Yquem’s sweet and dry worlds; it is a fully independent, top-tier expression that demonstrates what terroir purity and absolute vineyard control truly mean.
The aromatic profile is clear and layered: white flowers, citrus zest, green apple, pear and white peach, intertwined with subtle notes of fresh herbs, hay and wet stone. With aeration, hints of delicate honey, almond and a distinctly chalky, mineral line emerge.
On the palate, the wine is tense, precise and elegantly structured. The acidity is vibrant yet perfectly integrated, while the texture remains silky, with a light Sémillon-derived creaminess that never overwhelms the freshness. Flavours are driven by citrus fruit, white stone fruit, subtle salinity and limestone minerality. The finish is long, dry and impeccably clean, marked by a refined balance between gentle bitterness and freshness.
The grapes are grown on gravel, clay and limestone soils around Sauternes—the very same parcels famed for producing noble rot. For “Y”, however, the focus is on absolute fruit health, precision and aromatic clarity, resulting in one of the most compelling dry whites of Bordeaux.
Serve at 10-12 °C with poultry dishes seasoned with peas or asparagus and a creamy sour cream sauce. The wine also pairs well with lightly grilled fish or salmon.
Château d’Yquem – a true Bordeaux legend whose history spans more than four centuries. In the Middle Ages, the estate belonged to the King of England, and in 1593 the Sauvage family acquired the property, laying the foundations of today’s vineyard and introducing the distinctive practice of late harvesting. In 1711, under Louis XIV, they became full owners of Yquem. In the 18th–19th centuries, Yquem’s reputation was cemented by Françoise Joséphine de Sauvage d’Yquem, whose remarkable leadership during the turbulent years of the French Revolution secured the estate’s international acclaim. By the late 19th century, Château d’Yquem had become the benchmark of Sauternes, a wine for which aristocrats were willing to pay astronomical prices. In the 20th century, the Lur-Saluces family safeguarded the estate’s philosophy with dedication. Since 1999, it has been owned by LVMH Moët Hennessy-Louis Vuitton, and today Château d’Yquem remains the ultimate symbol of sweet wine excellence worldwide.
Wine Style
Château d’Yquem is celebrated for its unparalleled combination of elegance, richness, and precision. It is the only Sauternes producer classified as Premier Cru Supérieur in the 1855 Bordeaux classification. The wine is crafted from ‘Sémillon’ and ‘Sauvignon Blanc’, grapes affected by noble rot (Botrytis cinerea). The result is a wine bursting with concentrated aromas of apricot, peach, candied orange peel, honey, spice, and vanilla, balanced by vibrant acidity and a silky texture. Yquem is distinguished not only by its luscious sweetness but also by its extraordinary freshness and harmony, making it the reference point for all sweet wines.
Prestigious Vineyards
The estate comprises about 100 hectares of vineyards in the Barsac and Sauternes appellations, of which only around 65 hectares are harvested each year to maintain the highest quality. The dominant clay-limestone soils combined with a unique microclimate provide the perfect conditions for noble rot. Strict selection – often just a few berries from each bunch – is one of the key elements that sets Yquem apart.
Aging and Drinking Window
Every bottle of Château d’Yquem is the result of extended maturation. The wine is aged for about 36 months in French oak barrels, all of which are new, imparting depth and complexity. While it can be enjoyed young, with its vibrant fruit and freshness, its true greatness unfolds with age – Yquem can mature gracefully for more than a century, retaining its incomparable vitality and harmony.
