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Château d'Yquem
Château d'Yquem, a Premier Cru Supérieur (translated as 'Superior First Growth') wine hailing from the Sauternes, Gironde region within Bordeaux's Graves, stands distinct in the realm of Bordeaux vineyards. Among the wines featured in the 1855 Bordeaux Wine Official Classification, Château d'Yquem claimed the sole Premier Cru Supérieur ranking among Sauternes, highlighting its exceptional quality and premium pricing compared to other wines of its kind. Its acclaim is owed significantly to its susceptibility to the 'noble rot,' an infestation caused by Botrytis cinerea. The wines crafted at Château d'Yquem are renowned for their intricacy, richness, and sweetness, meticulously balanced by a notable acidity. With proper cellaring, these bottles can age gracefully for over a century. Over time, the initial fruity notes gradually meld into a tapestry of more nuanced secondary and tertiary flavors, enhancing their complexity. Since 1959, Château d'Yquem has expanded its offerings to include Ygrec, a dry white wine named after the letter 'Y.' Primarily composed of Sauvignon blanc complemented by select lots of Sémillon, Ygrec was initially produced intermittently, but since 2004, it has been crafted annually.
History of Château d'Yquem
Chateau d'Yquem has a rich history dating back to the 16th century when it was acquired by Jacques de Sauvage in December 1593. Over time, ownership passed through various family lineages, notably the Lur-Saluces family, whose influence contributed to its reputation. Thomas Jefferson praised the wine during his visit to France, and the 1811 vintage gained exceptional longevity and high praise from wine experts like Robert Parker. Following various family challenges, in 1996, a significant share of the estate was sold to LVMH Moët Hennessy – Louis Vuitton, though Comte Alexandre de Lur-Saluces remained as the estate's manager. Under his leadership, the estate underwent modernization and expansions. However, in 2004, Pierre Lurton took over as the managing director. The estate's vintages have fetched high prices at auctions, with a 1811 bottle becoming the most expensive white wine ever sold in 2011.
Production Chateau d'Yquem
Chateau d'Yquem's vineyard spans 126 hectares within the Sauternes appellation, with 100 hectares actively used for production. Each year, portions of the vineyard are rotated, leaving two to three hectares fallow while newly planted vines require five to seven years before contributing to the estate's esteemed wines. Primarily comprised of 80% Sémillon and 20% Sauvignon blanc, the final wine's composition often leans closer to an equal split due to the latter's robust growth. The harvesting process is meticulous, involving approximately six passes through the vineyard annually to exclusively select botrytized grapes. The estate's yield averages at nine hectoliters per hectare, notably lower than the usual twelve to twenty hectoliters seen in Sauternes. Following triple pressing, the grape juice is transferred to oak barrels for approximately three years of maturation. Annually, around 65,000 bottles are crafted. In challenging vintages, the entire yield may not meet the Château's standards, resulting in the anonymous sale of the crop. This occurred sporadically throughout the 20th century, with nine instances where the entire harvest did not bear the Château's prestigious name and once in the 21st century, specifically in 2012.
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Visit page of the element - Château d'Yquem
Inserted: 27-12-2023 20:12:37
Questions related to this Data Point
How did the LVMH Moët Hennessy – Louis Vuitton acquisition impact Château d'Yquem, and who took over as managing director in 2004?
How does the influence of "noble rot" contribute to the acclaim of the wines from Château d'Yquem?
What are the size and key grape varietals in Château d'Yquem's vineyard, and how are they managed annually?
What classification did Château d'Yquem receive in the 1855 Bordeaux Wine Official Classification, and what made it stand out among Sauternes wines?
What factors contribute to the aging potential of the wines from Château d'Yquem?
What is the typical composition of grape varietals in the wines produced by Château d'Yquem, and how is their balance achieved?
What significant historical events impacted Château d'Yquem's ownership, particularly in 1996 and later in 2004?
When was Ygrec, the dry white wine, introduced by Château d'Yquem, and what grapes primarily compose it?
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