For most collectors, Chateau d'Yquem needs no introduction as it is highly regarded as one of the world’s finest sweet wines (and dare we say, white wines). It boasts the only Premier Cru Superior status in Sauternes and only makes two wines: their world-famous sweet wine, and a dry white wine named “Y” (Ygrec).
The esteemed Estate is situated in Graves and is surrounded by 80% Semillon and 20% Sauvignon Blanc vines near the river Garonne. These humid, cool conditions create the perfect environment for botrytis, or “noble rot,” to transform these juicy grapes into shriveled, concentrated liquid gold.
Despite the wines being outrageously delicious upon release, they can age for a remarkable amount of time. Jancis Robinson describes them as “immortal” with the potential to age for not only decades, but generations. The Sauternes is only made in vintages where growing conditions are absolutely perfect, and the results have consistently been rated near perfect (and perfect!), with critics describing the golden nectar as, “simply mind-blowing … [p]ure perfection,” and a “rarity that must be tried to be believed” (WA).
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