Château d'Yquem

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.