Château d'Yquem Sauternes 2020 - 1er Cru Classé Supérieur

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

Yquem enjoys a unique status among Bordeaux producers, placing it virtually beyond critical judgment. The hundred or so hectares under cultivation are divided between Sémillon and Sauvignon, on gravelly hilltops with a more clayey subsoil. The estate does not produce any small or even average vintages, as it does not tolerate any compromise. In fact, it decided not to produce a 2012 vintage, as the quality was not considered high enough for the estate. The LVMH group (which took it over in 1999, headed by Pierre Lurton, who arrived in 2004), like the Lur-Saluces family before them (now at Château de Fargues), cannot even imagine the possibility of taking the easy option! Yquem deserves more than ever its rank as the Premier among the Premier wines of Sauternes. The arrival of Sauvignon in the blends, the flexibility of adapting the aging process to the nature of the vintage, and of course a unique agronomic know-how make each vintage even more precise and balanced than in previous decades, satisfying both our senses and our intellect.

Decanter

About wine:

This 2020 vintage is a masterclass in purity and delicacy, conveying the beauty and allure of Yquem in a subtle, captivating and refined manner. Aromas of white flowers and honeysuckle, delicately caramelized mirabelle plums and fresh apricots with hints of clementine and grapefruit pulp abound on the nose—richly fragrant in their individual aspects but delivered quietly, almost sensually and shyly. Immediately full-bodied and creamy, refined and fresh, with a touch of sweetness that strikes first before an enticing acidity lends sumptuous succulence and liveliness. Apricot, peach, fleshy mango, and bright pineapple give the exotic fruits a piquancy balanced by a salty, flinty aspect that adds slight angles to the expression. Juicy, bright, clean, and complete, with notes of cinnamon spice and freshly toasted bread that give it its backbone and structure and remind you that it is made to last. It is not as opulent as some vintages, much more discreet and relaxed—and, coincidentally, one of the lowest in residual sugar at 135 g/l—but it is a wonderful expression, with obvious control and self-confidence. It is also extremely easy to drink, even today, with tension, clarity, and energy, so don't be afraid to open it and enjoy it in its joyful youth. 2023-2070

Guide Hachette des vins

About the estate:

A magnificent 17th-century fortified manor house surrounded by vineyards, perched atop the hills overlooking the Garonne Valley, Château d'Yquem is unique among grands crus in that it has remained in the same family, first the Sauvages and then the Lur-Saluces, for nearly four hundred years. Since the 18th century, the estate has been the jewel in the crown of the Sauternes region. In addition to its stability, it benefits from a highly varied and nuanced terroir, composed of a multitude of small hills, with vines at the top of the plateau and others in the middle and lower slopes. This diversity allows the estate to adapt to the vagaries of the climate and contributes to the great complexity of Yquem wine. 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. The conversion to organic farming began in 2019.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the estate:

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

About wine:

Its intense aroma explores a range of candied orange notes, complemented by a subtle hint of pastry. This vintage was aged for three months longer than previous vintages, for a total of 24 months. This gives us a more mellow and well-integrated combination of fruit and wood. Pure and dense, the liqueur seems to be set with subtle bitter notes. A sweet wine that is both full-bodied and vibrant, yet intense and easy to drink. A very great Sauternes that should be drunk young for pure pleasure, despite its potential for decades of aging.

About the estate:

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 represented by Pierre Lurton, who also heads Château Cheval Blanc in Saint-Émilion. Before him, Alexandre de Lur Saluces wrote some of the finest pages in the history of the unique premier cru classé supérieur in 1855, following in the footsteps of his ancestors. This wine is perhaps the most consistent in Bordeaux over the last hundred years. Even in poor vintages and difficult periods, Yquem has maintained its status thanks to its incomparable aging potential. It owes this to a unique terroir, which reacts to the development of botrytis like no other, and to people who have understood and enhanced its qualities. While Yquem may not necessarily impress in its youth, it inevitably pulls ahead of its neighbors after a few years of aging. Tasting an old vintage from the château remains an experience that every sweet wine lover should have in their lifetime.

Vinous

About wine:

D'Yquem 2020 is a blend of 75% Sémillon and 25% Sauvignon Blanc, grown at a meager 10l/ha. It has a very sensual bouquet. It is very changeable as it unfolds in the glass, with scents of freshly sliced white peaches, almonds, and pineapple. The oak is beautifully integrated and, if you give the wine time to open up, you will discover aromas of verbena tea, pressed white flowers, and saffron. The palate makes an immediate impact with a rich, mineral-driven, surprisingly salty entry that gives it an instant liveliness. The confidence of this Yquem leaves you transfixed. Compared to recent vintages, this wine remains very closed and tightly controlled until the finish, where it blossoms with a burgeoning ardor. Notes of ginger, caramelized pear, and orange peel are delivered with excellent definition. This lively and opulent Yquem is destined to age gracefully over the coming decades. 2040-2100

James Suckling

About wine:

Very transparent and elegant with aromas of white peach, lilac, and light caramel. Medium-bodied, smooth, and agile, with notes of salted caramel and dried orange. A spicy botrytis finish. Give it 3 or 4 years to blossom.

Yves Beck

About wine:

The wine reveals intense fresh fruit flavors, such as citrus, orange zest, and verbena. The attack is smooth and salty, and the wine displays a beautiful creaminess counterbalanced by a salinity that frames the sweetness without overwhelming it, accompanying it to the finish. This is where the bitterness takes over and extends the finish, accompanied by the acidic structure. The result is a wine of exceptional precision and great persistence. The advantage for us is that we can drink it at all stages of its life! The freshness of the bouquet is a key element. Now – 2060

Jean-Marc Quarin

About wine:

Yellow in color with green highlights. Intense, refined, fruity, and subtle on the nose. Hints of blood orange with undertones of mint and pepper. Meticulous on the palate, extremely refined to the touch, with great grace as it unfolds, the wine develops spice notes and a mellow body. Long finish with regal precision. It is unspitable.

The Wine Cellar Insider - Jeff Leve

About wine:

It is fresh, lively, and racy, focusing on its complex core of honeysuckle, dried oranges, apricots, lemon cream, saffron, marzipan, pineapple, vanilla, and just a hint of honey to top it all off. It is sharp and well-defined, with length, purity, lift, and generous acidity that gives it breadth, length, and liveliness, as well as richness, balance, and complexity. I like this style of Yquem because it is a sweet wine that can be enjoyed on its own or with a myriad of savory dishes. So, if you can't do without it, enjoy it in its youth with all its succulent, sweet, ripe, overripe, and racy fruit, or age it for decades to acquire secondary nuances. Drink between 2025 and 2065.