Château d'Yquem 2023

Characteristics and tasting advice for Château d'Yquem 2023

Tasting

Nose

The nose is pure and dense, revealing notes of stewed rhubarb and lilac flowers alongside citrus aromas. A touch of cedar and beeswax enhances this complex bouquet.

Palate

The palate is smooth and enveloping, marked by an almond-like texture that underscores vibrant power. The palate unfurls flavors of apricot, Agen prune and mandarin marmalade, before ending on a long, savory finish.

Food and wine pairings

This sweet wine pairs perfectly with pan-seared foie gras, yellow-fruit desserts such as an apricot tart, or blue-veined cheeses such as Roquefort.

Serving and cellaring

Château d'Yquem 2023 is best enjoyed at a temperature between 10 and 12°C.

A captivating Sauternes, balancing crystal freshness and solar power

The estate

Established in 1593 when Jacques Sauvage obtained the rights to these Sauternes lands, this iconic estate, Château d'Yquem, covers 133 hectares, including 104 hectares of vineyards. Owned by the Lur-Saluces family for nearly three centuries, the estate has belonged since 1999 to Bernard Arnault (LVMH), with Pierre Lurton at its helm. The only Premier Cru Supérieur in the 1855 classification, Yquem stands out for harvesting through successive selective pickings. The quality demands are extreme: one vine produces a single glass of wine. Today, the estate has been converted to biodynamic farming.

The vineyard

The Château d'Yquem vineyard benefits from an exceptional terroir in the heart of the Sauternes appellation. The 104 hectares of vines are planted on sandy gravel soils with a clay-limestone subsoil, giving the wines subtle minerality, great finesse and remarkable longevity. This unique terroir encourages the development of noble rot, Botrytis cinerea, essential to producing these outstanding sweet wines.

The vintage

The 2023 vintage experienced a tropical spring followed by extreme summer heat interrupted by rainfall. Favorable anticyclonic conditions set in at the end of September, enabling optimal ripening. Harvesting took place from September 14 to October 11. This vintage is described as an apotheosis and a divine balance, completing a trilogy with the 2021 and 2022 vintages. It sits between the crystal freshness of 2021 and the solar power of 2022.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for Château d'Yquem 2023 are harvested in successive selective pickings to select only berries affected by noble rot. After pressing, the wine is aged in new barrels, enhancing the complexity, depth and exceptional aging potential of this great Sauternes wine.

Grape varieties

Sémillon (70%)
Sauvignon blanc (30%)