Château d'Yquem Sauternes 2020 - 1er Cru Classé Supérieur

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

Yquem enjoys a unique status within Bordeaux wine production, placing it virtually beyond the reach of any critical judgment. The hundred or so hectares under vine are planted with Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc on gravelly slopes with a more clay-rich subsoil. The estate does not experience poor or even average vintages, as it tolerates no compromises. In fact, it decided against producing the 2012 vintage, as its quality was deemed insufficient for the appellation. The LVMH group (which acquired it in 1999, headed by Pierre Lurton, who arrived in 2004), 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 premier wine of Sauternes more than ever. The arrival of Sauvignon Blanc in the blends, the flexibility of adapting the aging process to the nature of the vintage, and obviously a unique agronomic expertise make each vintage an even more precise and balanced celebration than in previous decades, satisfying both our senses and our intelligence.

Decanter

About the wine:

A masterclass in purity and delicacy, this 2020 vintage manages to convey the beauty and allure of Yquem in a refined, subtle, and captivating way. Aromas of white flowers and honeysuckle, delicately caramelized mirabelle plums, and fresh apricots with hints of clementine and grapefruit pulp abound on the nose—richly fragrant in their individual aspects yet delivered gently, almost sensually and shyly. Immediately full-bodied and creamy, refined and fresh, with a sweet note that strikes first before an enticing acidity brings sumptuous succulence and liveliness. Apricot, peach, fleshy mango, and zesty pineapple lend the exotic fruits a piquancy balanced by a salty, flinty quality that adds subtle edges to the expression. Juicy, brilliant, clean, and complete, with notes of cinnamon spice and freshly toasted bread that give it its backbone and structure and remind you that it is built to last. It isn’t as opulent as some vintages, much more understated and relaxed—and, coincidentally, one of the lowest in residual sugar at 135 g/l—but it’s a wonderful expression, with evident control and self-assurance. It is also extremely easy to drink, even today, with tension, clarity, and energy, so don’t be afraid to open it and savor it in its joyful youth. 2023–2070

Guide Hachette des vins

About the estate:

A magnificent 17th-century fortified manor house surrounded by vineyards, perched atop the hills overlooking the Garonne Valley, Château d'Yquem, uniquely for a Grand Cru, has remained in the same family—first the Sauvage family, then the Lur-Saluces—for nearly four hundred years. The estate became the jewel of Sauternes as early as the 18th century. Beyond its stability, it benefits from a remarkably diverse and nuanced terroir, composed of numerous small hills, with vines planted on the upper plateaus and others in the middle and lower slopes. This diversity allows the vineyards to adapt to the vagaries of the climate and contributes to the great complexity of Yquem wine. Classified as a Premier Cru Supérieur in 1855—the only one of its kind—it has belonged to the LVMH group since 1999, which entrusted its management to Pierre Lurton in 2004. The conversion to organic farming began in 2019.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the estate:

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the wine:

Its intense aroma explores notes of candied orange, complemented by a subtle pastry note. This vintage was aged for three months longer than previous vintages, for a total of 24 months. This results in a more harmonious and well-integrated blend of fruit and wood. Pure and dense, the wine seems to be balanced by subtle hints of bitterness. A sweet wine that is both full-bodied and vibrant, yet intense and easy to drink. A truly great Sauternes that should be enjoyed young simply for the pleasure of it, despite its potential for decades of aging.

About the estate:

Recognized as the world's most famous sweet wine, Yquem has been owned by the LVMH group, headed by businessman Bernard Arnault, since 1999. The château is currently managed by Pierre Lurton, who also manages 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 this unique First Growth classified in 1855, following in the footsteps of his ancestors. For this wine is perhaps the most consistent in Bordeaux over the last century. Even in lesser vintages and difficult periods, Yquem has maintained its status, even in its incomparable aging. This is due to its unique terroir, which reacts to the development of botrytis like no other, and to the people who understood and showcased its qualities. While Yquem may not be particularly impressive in its youth, it undeniably distinguishes itself from its neighbors after a few years of aging. Tasting an older vintage from the château remains an experience that every lover of sweet wines should have at least once in their life.

Vinous

About the wine:

D'Yquem 2020 is a blend of 75% Sémillon and 25% Sauvignon Blanc, grown at a yield of just 10 liters per hectare. It has a very sensual bouquet. It evolves beautifully as it opens up in the glass, revealing notes of freshly sliced white peaches, almonds, and pineapple. The oak is beautifully integrated, and if you give the wine time to open up, you’ll discover aromas of verbena tea, pressed white flowers, and saffron. The palate makes an immediate impact with a mineral-rich, surprisingly salty attack that gives it a certain liveliness right from the start. The confidence of this Yquem leaves you spellbound. Compared to recent vintages, this wine remains very closed and tightly controlled until the finish, where it blossoms with a budding intensity. Notes of ginger, caramelized pear, and orange peel are delivered with excellent definition. This lively and opulent Yquem is destined to age gracefully over the coming decades. 2040–2100

James Suckling

About the wine:

Very clear and elegant, with aromas of white peach, lilac, and light caramel. Medium-bodied, smooth, and lively, with notes of salted caramel and dried orange. A spicy botrytis finish. Give it 3 or 4 years to fully develop.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

The wine reveals intense notes of fresh fruit—citrus, orange zest, and verbena, for example. The attack is smooth and briny, and the wine displays a lovely creaminess balanced by a salinity that grounds the sweetness without overwhelming it, accompanying it all the way to the finish. That’s where the bitterness takes over and extends the finish alongside the acidic structure. The result is a wine of exceptional precision and great persistence. The advantage for us: we’ll be able to enjoy it at every stage of its life! The freshness of the bouquet is a key element. Now – 2060

Jean-Marc Quarin

About the wine:

Yellow in color with greenish highlights. The nose is intense, delicate, fruity, and subtle, with hints of blood orange, mint, and pepper. Meticulously crafted on the palate, it is extremely refined in texture, unfolding with great grace; the wine develops spicy notes against a velvety body. The finish is long and of regal precision. It’s simply irresistible.

The Wine Cellar Insider - Jeff Leve

About the wine:

It is fresh, lively, and elegant, with a complex core of honeysuckle, dried oranges, apricots, lemon cream, saffron, marzipan, pineapple, vanilla, and just a hint of honey to top it all off. It is crisp and well-defined, with length, purity, structure, and generous acidity that gives it fullness, length, and liveliness, as well as richness, balance, and complexity. I love this style of Yquem because it is a sweet wine that can be enjoyed on its own or with a myriad of savory dishes. So, if you can’t resist, enjoy it in its youth with all its succulent, sweet, ripe, overripe, and elegant fruit, or age it for decades to develop secondary nuances. Best enjoyed between 2025 and 2065.