Chateau d'Yquem 2020

The finesse and brilliance of an iconic Sauternes wine

The property

Located south of Bordeaux, the Château d'Yquem is one of the most beautiful references among the great Sauternes wines. This legendary Premier Cru Classé Supérieur benefits from an exceptional terroir and gives birth to globally sought-after sweet wines.

The vineyard

The Château d’Yquem is an extraordinary place, nestled in the heart of the hills of the Sauternes appellation, rich with a hundred hectares of vineyards planted on a mosaic of gravelly-sandy terroirs.

The vintage

Early vegetative development due to a warm and rainy spring is slowed down by wet and cool conditions in June. The heat and very low rainfall during the summer do not impact the vineyard, thanks to the water reserves built up in the spring. If the sunshine recorded in September allows for the harvest of a first qualitative sorting, the rains at the end of the month favor the homogeneous development of Botrytis cinerea. It is only from the weekend of October 18th that a favorable five-day weather window allows for refining the concentration of fully botrytized berries. The harvest was carried out in 5 successive sortings, spread over 16 days of harvest between September 14 and October 29.

Blend

Sémillon (75%)
Sauvignon blanc (25%)

Characteristics and tasting advice for Château d’Yquem 2020

Tasting

Nose
Expressive, the nose seduces with its floral (lime, wild rose) and fruity (prickly pear, mirabelle plum, fresh apricot) fragrances.

Palate
Ideally balanced, the palate harmoniously combines a lively and refreshing touch with a sunny aromatic structure evoking aromas of orange marmalade and mandarin. Persistent, the finish exhales an elegant zesty bitterness.