Château d'Yquem Sauternes 2010 - 1er Cru Classé Supérieur (37,5cl)

Bettane & Desseauve

About wine:

Slightly more austere than the 2011 but with an incomparable aromatic character, and still with that perfect liqueur and ideal balance.

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.

Guide Hachette des vins

About wine:

At Yquem, more than anywhere else, the precision of the harvest determines the greatness of the wine. The first sorting took place from September 20 to 22, followed by a second round from September 27 to 30. Then there was a long break, imposed by the dry weather at the beginning of autumn. Harvesting resumed on October 14, after the return of the rains necessary for the development of noble botrytis, followed by sunshine and easterly winds that perfectly concentrated the sugar in the berries. This marked the real start of the vintage. Another break on October 18, with rain forecast for the 24th. Francis Mayeur, the estate's technical director, decided to wait three days so that the berries from the best plots could reach maximum concentration. There was no question of "averaging the harvest" in this opulent and quantitative year; on the contrary, the idea was to make distinctions between the plots, with "tailor-made" selections, up to seven or eight lots depending on the terroir, thus offering a precise and diversified palette of botrytized grapes at their best. A new phase of sorting took place before the rains began on October 21, lasting three days: the peak of the harvest and the heart of the future 2010 vintage. This meant juggling the weather, having a vineyard large enough to be able to work with precision, and accepting to take risks. Thanks to this, Sandrine Garbay, the estate's oenologist, was able to produce a wine of great classicism, undoubtedly one of the most accomplished of the decade. A bouquet as subtle as it is complex – yellow fruits, candied orange, lemon zest, brioche, and a hint of vanilla – is complemented by a palate of extreme elegance and a balance close to perfection. The attack is soft and full-bodied, the evolution silky and delicate, offering a very fine touch and, characteristic of the vintage, a remarkable freshness that gives the whole an airy quality and infinite length. A prima ballerina.

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 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.

James Suckling

About wine:

The purity of the Botrytis in this wine is impressive, with dried fruits such as apple and mango. It then offers a spicy character. The wine is full-bodied and very smooth, but it is incredibly fresh and lively. Such class and elegance. A perfectly crafted wine. Everything is in its place. It displays a captivating delicacy and intensity.

Yves Beck

About wine:

An inviting, complex bouquet marked by notes of candied lemon, bitter orange, quince, and saffron. An earthy touch with a hint of celery and aromas reminiscent of salted caramel. On the palate, the wine is youthful. All the elements are present, both in terms of structure and sweetness. There is fullness, richness, tension, and sapidity. Nevertheless, it needs time, which is almost always the case with Yquem. It will be necessary to wait for it, and there is no need to rush. 2024-2070

Jean-Marc Quarin

About wine:

Golden yellow color. Intense, refined, subtle, noble, fresh, and complex nose. Hints of warm butter develop in the glass. Meticulous on the attack, light on the palate, particularly aromatic, rich, and mellow, the wine gains incredible energy between the mid-palate and the finish. It ends with a long, very good finish. It's superb.

Vert de Vin

About wine:

The nose is fruity, elegant, and fresh. It reveals subtle notes of candied lemon and hints of honey combined with delicate hints of quince, persimmon, stewed white fruits (nectarine, pear), and subtle hints of pastries, brioche, and gingerbread. The palate is fruity, delicate and balanced, offering a lovely, subtle mineral structure, excellent balance and beautiful finesse and delicacy. On the palate, this wine expresses subtle notes of lemon, stewed white fruits (nectarine, pear) and subtle notes of quince combined with a subtle hint of spices, cardamom and green tea. Good length and lovely persistence.