Château d'Yquem Sauternes 2005 - 1er Cru Classé Supérieur (Magnum)

An elegant exuberance. Rich and refreshing, intense and refined—the contrasts blend harmoniously. Its immediacy is deceptive; it has great potential. A magnificent composition.

Yquem enjoys a unique status in Bordeaux winemaking, which places it virtually beyond any critical judgment. The approximately 100 hectares under cultivation are divided between Sémillon and Sauvignon, on gravelly hilltops with a more clay-rich subsoil. The estate does not produce small or even average vintages, as it tolerates no compromise. In fact, it chose not to produce the 2012 vintage, as the quality was not deemed high enough for the estate. The LVMH Group (which took it over in 1999 under the leadership of Pierre Lurton, who arrived in 2004), just like the Lur-Saluces family before them (now at Château de Fargues), cannot even imagine taking the easy way out! Yquem deserves its status as the “First among the First” wines of Sauternes more than ever. The inclusion of Sauvignon Blanc in the blends, the flexibility in adapting the aging process to the nature of each vintage, and, of course, a unique agronomic expertise make each vintage an even more refined and balanced celebration than in previous decades, satisfying both our senses and our intellect.

A magnificent 17th-century fortified manor surrounded by vineyards, perched atop the hillsides overlooking the Garonne Valley, Château d’Yquem is—uniquely among grand cru estates—has remained in the same family, first the Sauvages and then the Lur-Saluces, for nearly four hundred years. The estate became the jewel of the Sauternes region as early as the 18th century. In addition to its stability, it benefits from a highly varied and nuanced terroir, composed of a multitude of small hills, with vineyards at the top of the plateau and others midway down and at the bottom of the slopes. This diversity allows the estate to adapt to the vagaries of the climate and is what gives Yquem wine its great complexity. Classified as a Premier Cru Supérieur in 1855—the only one in its category—it has belonged to the LVMH Group since 1999, which entrusted its management to Pierre Lurton in 2004. The transition to organic farming began in 2019.

 

Recognized as the world’s most famous sweet wine, Yquem has been owned since 1999 by the LVMH Group, led by businessman Bernard Arnault. The château is now led by Pierre Lurton, who also heads Château Cheval Blanc in Saint-Émilion. Before him, from 1967 to 2004, Alexandre de Lur Saluces wrote some of the finest chapters in the history of the only wine classified as “Premier Cru Classé Supérieur” in 1855, following in the footsteps of his ancestors. For this wine is perhaps the most consistent in the Bordeaux region over the past hundred years. Even in modest vintages and difficult periods, Yquem has maintained its standing, particularly through its incomparable aging potential. It owes this to a unique terroir, which responds to the development of botrytis like no other, and to the people who have understood and brought out its qualities. While Yquem may not necessarily impress in its youth, it irrevocably pulls ahead of its neighbors after a few years of aging. Tasting an old vintage from the château remains an experience that every lover of sweet wine must have had at least once in their life.

Straw-colored, the nose is subtle at this stage. On the palate, it is dense and elegant, with good length—an elegance unusual for Yquem—and a subtle hint of oak. The wine will benefit from being cellared for another five years, but it heralds a new era of greater refinement and elegance.

Golden yellow in color, with green highlights. The nose is intense, refined, subtle, deep, complex, and elegant, with no hint of a sweet wine. The texture is simply dreamlike from the very first sip, with a silky smoothness that envelops the entire palate, and a depth of flavor blending white and red fruits. Airy, meticulous, and unique in its profile, the wine finishes with a magical and irresistible touch. A truly exceptional white wine.

This delight offers everything you could hope for in a Sauternes wine, with countless layers of ripe tropical fruit, tinged with vanilla, toasted nuts, and apricots. Rich and succulent, yet also brilliant, lively, vibrant, and elegant—it’s so good right now that it’s impossible to put your glass down. But it will only get better from here with additional years of bottle aging. That’s part of the magic and appeal of Château d’Yquem!