Chateau d'Yquem: rediscover the art of tasting an exceptional wine

More than just a symbol of history and excellence, Chateau d'Yquem is a true ambassador for innovation, revealing a new approach to the art of tasting its precious and noble wine.

The Artistic Excellence of Chateau d'Yquem

"Creativity is intelligence having fun," said Albert Einstein. Whether we're talking about innovation or artistic creation, it's the combination of imagination and ingenuity that gives rise to true works of art. Boasting over 400 years of history and bearing a reputation ranging from the palaces of the Russian Tsars to the imperial court of Japan, along with George Washington's residence, Chateau d'Yquem is surely a symbol of art and innovation.

Chateau d'Yquem: A Historic Wine

What do great works of art have in common, if not their ability to arouse deep emotion in those who discover them? Both complex and generous, they touch each and every one of us, regardless of who we are or where we live. In the world of wine, if there's one wine capable of eliciting such emotions, it's Chateau d'Yquem.

The Legacy of Château d'Yquem: Premier Cru Supérieur

Château d'Yquem, the only Premier Cru Supérieur in the 1855 Bordeaux classification, has been run by the same family for almost 400 years. The fruit of an extraordinary combination of geology, geography and climate, Château d'Yquem is a veritable treasure of nature. But it would not be here, in front of you, without the human ingenuity and unerring expertise of the enthusiasts who have brought it to life. Indeed, it's thanks to the estate's uncompromising attention to detail and exacting standards that each vine on this historic estate produces the equivalent of a single glass of wine.

Innovation in Sauternes: The Future of Chateau d'Yquem

Today, Sauternes wines are experiencing an unprecedented wave of innovation and investment. This is partly due to climate change but also to the shifting consumer habits of the new generations. As Pierre Lurton, President of Chateau d'Yquem, points out: "Our era is marked by a greater thirst for learning and understanding." According to him, a new breath of fresh air, new lights and new energies are breathing new life into the estate, and this is reflected in the way the precious nectar is tasted.

New Ways to Enjoy an Exceptional Sauternes Wine

Today, there are probably no fixed rules. Take, for example, the creativity of chefs in preparing dishes: it goes hand in hand with the boldness of sommeliers, who deliberately depart from traditional criteria to determine the best food and wine pairings. Chateau d'Yquem is a perfect example of this.

Enjoying Chateau d'Yquem: Breaking Stereotypes

Long prone to stereotypes, Sauternes wines were perceived as bottles that absolutely had to be aged in the cellar or enjoyed only with dessert or foie gras at during the holiday season. Far from preconceived ideas, Lorenzo Pasquini, the estate's managing director, explains that there are many ways to enjoy this exceptional wine: at home and elsewhere, on special occasions or simply for pleasure.

The Freshness of Young Chateau d'Yquem Wines

"It's true that Yquem remains one of the most elegant ways to travel through time, as it's a wine that ages exceptionally well. However, as a young wine, it's also absolutely wonderful! A glass of 2018 or 2019 as an aperitif is the ideal way to discover the world of Yquem". In the words of Pierre Lurton, we understand that this gem can also reveal itself in its youth.

Savoring the Aromatic Palette of Young Yquem

Indeed, exalted in their freshness, young wines are remarkable. They reveal a sublime aromatic palette of apricot, fig, quince, lychee, and verbena, sometimes enriched by notes of rose, frangipane, passion fruit, mango, grapefruit, and light touches of toasted almonds. Lorenzo Pasquini's words support this idea: "Yquem, even when young, already has the capacity to be very expressive. It will perhaps be less focused on citrus, saffron, and orange marmalade, which are markers of botrytis aging, but more on fresh fruit, passion fruit, and very fresh notes. These wines have no tannins, so they don't need to open up.

Perfect Serving Temperature for Young Chateau d'Yquem

As the serving temperature is lower for the younger wines (9°C for the most recent vintages versus 12°C for the more mature wines), they reveal the full extent of their freshness and vivacity. Tasted in this way, these exceptional blottings lend themselves perfectly to convivial moments such as sublime summer evenings or unforgettable aperitifs with friends.

Chateau d'Yquem: A Convivial and Introspective Experience

According to eminent French chef Arnaud Donckele: "One of my greatest pleasures in life is to enjoy a glass of Yquem as an aperitif, and I find it a new approach. So often, we choose fortified wines like port or spirits like whisky as aperitifs... But a young Yquem is extraordinary!" According to him, the advantage is that the palate is not dominated by any other flavor, leaving the wine free to express itself fully. What's more, Chateau d'Yquem is a perfect match for aperitif dishes such as oysters, fresh salmon, gourmet pizza, Iberian Pata Negra, or Parmigiano Reggiano. These simple yet refined dishes offer a combination as original as it is exquisite.

Versatility of Chateau d'Yquem: From Aperitif to Digestif

Chateau d'Yquem undeniably stands on its own, making it a bottle of choice both as an aperitif and at the end of a meal. Pierre Lurton confirms this idea: "I wouldn't forbid anyone to drink Yquem with foie gras, on the contrary, but it would be a pity to limit oneself to it. Alone, late at night, with a cigar, it's just as wonderful!

Imaginative Enjoyment of Chateau d'Yquem

In both conviviality and introspection, Chateau d'Yquem gives free rein to the imagination. You can imagine yourself enjoying the precious nectar, leaving yourself as much time as possible. 

First taste it after opening, then come back to it a few hours, or even days later, to allow yourself all the time you need to savor what is also known as "the nectar of the gods".

The Timeless Appeal of Chateau d'Yquem

Whether opened young or after many decades of aging, enjoyed as an aperitif or with a meal, shared alone or with friends, Chateau d'Yquem can be discovered in many ways. As Pierre Lurton so aptly puts it: "It's not necessarily the event that must justify tasting Yquem: it's Yquem that must create the event".