Château d'Yquem Sauternes 2016 - 1er Cru Classé Supérieur

Bettane & Desseauve

About the domain :

Yquem enjoys a unique status in Bordeaux production, virtually beyond critical judgment. The hundred or so hectares farmed are divided between Semillon and Sauvignon, on gravelly hilltops with a more clayey subsoil. There are no small or even average vintages for this cru, which is uncompromising. In fact, the 2012 vintage was not produced, as the quality was not deemed high enough for the cru. The LVMH group (which took it over in 1999 with Pierre Lurton at the helm, having joined in 2004), like the Lur-Saluces family (now at Château de Fargues), can't even imagine the possibility of taking the easy way out! Now more than ever, Yquem has earned its place as the Premier des Premiers vins du Sauternais. The arrival of Sauvignon in the blends, the flexible adaptation of ageing to the nature of the vintage, and of course a unique agronomic know-how make each vintage an even more precise and balanced feast than in previous decades, satisfying both our senses and our intelligence.

Decanter

About the wine:

Despite a rich botrytis character, this balances impact with delicacy. On the nose, light citrus with a hint of flint and smoke, allowing the soft white flowers and lime blossom to slowly surprise you. There are hints of caramel on the mid-palate and great persistence, as always. Extremely elegant. This summer was the driest since 1898, and the harvest at Yquem lasted 2 months, from September 4 (for the Y d'Yquem dry white) to November 4 for the final selection of botrytis berries. The final yield was 20 hl/ha, the highest in recent years, compared with an average of 9 hl/ha, of which 40% went to the grand vin, compared with 50% last year. 2025 - 2050

Guide Hachette des vins

About the domain :

A superb 17th-century fortified manor house surrounded by vines, set at the top of hills overlooking the Garonne valley, Château d'Yquem has - uniquely for a grand cru - remained in the same family, the Sauvages and then the Lur-Saluces, for almost four hundred years. By the 18th century, the estate had become the jewel in the crown of the Sauternes region. In addition to its stability, the estate benefits from an extremely varied and nuanced terroir, made up of a multitude of small hills, with vines at the top of the plateau and others in the middle and at the bottom of the slope. This diversity makes it possible to adapt to the vagaries of the climate, and contributes to the great complexity of Yquem wines. Classified as a Premier Cru Supérieur in 1855, the only one in its category, it has belonged to the LVMH group since 1999, which entrusted its management to Pierre Lurton in 2004. Conversion to organic farming is scheduled for 2019.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

This 2016 Yquem, pale lemon gold in color, bursts from the glass with aromas of honeyed apricots, pineapple, green mango, crushed rocks, candied ginger, coriander seeds and citrus peel with hints of orange blossom. The palate is tight, vibrant and refreshing, with successive layers of mineral and spice, and finishes with epic balance and persistence.

About the domain :

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the wine:

It has left behind the viennoiserie notes of its youth to refocus on a touch of citron and mandarin. Its power settles in confidently, with pure fruit nourished by a fleshy liqueur. It gives it masterly balance.

About the domain :

Recognized as the world's most famous sweet wine, Yquem has been owned since 1999 by the LVMH group, headed by businessman Bernard Arnault. The château is now run by Pierre Lurton, also head of Château Cheval Blanc in Saint-Émilion. Before him, from 1967 to 2004, Alexandre de Lur Saluces wrote some of the finest pages in the history of the only premier cru classé supérieur in 1855, following in the footsteps of his forebears. For this wine has been perhaps the most consistent in Bordeaux for a hundred years. Even in small vintages and difficult periods, Yquem has held its ground through to its incomparable ageing. It owes this to its unique terroir, which reacts to botrytis development like no other, and to the men who have understood and exploited its qualities. If Yquem doesn't necessarily impress when young, it irreparably widens the gap with its neighbors after a few years of ageing. Tasting an old vintage of the château is an experience every sweet wine lover should have.

James Suckling

About the wine:

A very classic Yquem. A breathtaking spectrum of floral aromas of honey, exotic fruits (passion fruit, mango and pineapple), caramel and marzipan. But none of this is too much. In fact, the wine is extremely precise and finely nuanced. Wonderful freshness and textural complexity, despite high concentration and extravagance. Very suave, sensual finish that goes on and on. To drink or to keep.

Jean-Marc Quarin

About the wine:

Sunshine yellow color. Superb, fine, subtle nose. Complex nuances of pear, pineapple, mango, plus a touch of lime, very rare in Sauternes. The meticulous texture surprises from the moment it enters the mouth. Immediately caressing, the wine evolves very melting in the middle and ultra-perfumed. The quality of the body and aromas is astonishing. It's incredible to obtain such nobility and pleasure from noble rot. Great length.

Vert de Vin

About the wine:

The nose is fruity, fresh and elegant. Notes of candied lemon, kumquat and candied pear are combined with delicate touches of peach in syrup, hints of white flowers and discreet hints of sweet spices, fresh almond and a very discreet hint of honeysuckle. The palate is fruity, nicely balanced, elegant, precise and offers a nice suavity, a nice roundness, a nice definition, tension, a nice freshness, delicacy and a fine grain. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of candied vine peach, candied pear and, more lightly, lychee, combined with fine hints of exotic fruit/pineapple in syrup, almond, dried fruit and very discreet hints of flowers. Good length. Very fine, greedy persistence. A hint of pink lychee, exotic fruit and a discreet hint of nuts on the finish. A hint of almond on the finish (2024+).

The Wine Cellar Insider - Jeff Leve

About the wine:

Château d'Yquem is excellent at any age, and this newly released beauty is no exception. The wine combines high levels of sweet, ripe tropical fruit, honey-coated apricots and pineapple, giving the wine momentum and freshness. This wine will be superb to drink for at least 50 years or more.