Château d'Yquem Sauternes 2010 - 1er Cru Classé Supérieur (37,5cl)

Bettane & Desseauve

About the wine:

Slightly more austere than the 2011 vintage, yet with an incomparable aromatic complexity, and still boasting that perfect body and ideal balance.

About the estate:

Yquem enjoys a unique status in Bordeaux wine production, which places it virtually beyond any critical judgment. The approximately 100 hectares under cultivation are divided between Sémillon and Sauvignon, planted on gravelly hilltops with a 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 as the Lur-Saluces family did in the past (now at Château de Fargues), cannot even imagine the possibility of taking the easy way out! Yquem deserves its status as the premier among the premier wines of Sauternes more than ever. The introduction of Sauvignon Blanc into the blends, the flexibility in adapting the aging process to the nature of the 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.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

At Yquem, more than anywhere else, the precision of the harvest determines the wine’s greatness. The first sorting took place from September 20 to 22, followed by a second, more thorough round from September 27 to 30. Then came a long pause, forced by the drought at the start of autumn. Harvesting resumed on October 14, after the return of the rains necessary for the development of noble botrytis, followed by sunshine and easterly winds that perfectly concentrated the sugar in the berries. We were then truly in full swing with the vintage. Another pause on October 18, as the forecast called for rain on the 24th. Francis Mayeur, the estate’s technical director, decided to wait three days to allow the berries from the best plots to reach maximum concentration. There was no question of “averaging out the harvest” in this opulent and abundant year; on the contrary, the idea was to differentiate between the plots, with “tailored” selections—up to seven or eight lots depending on the terroir—thus providing a precise and diverse range of botrytized grapes at their peak. A new phase of sorting began before the rains on October 21 and lasted three days: the peak of the harvest and the heart of the future 2010 vintage. It therefore required juggling the weather, possessing a vineyard large enough to allow for meticulous work, and being willing to take risks. Thanks to this, Sandrine Garbay, the estate’s oenologist, was able to craft a wine of great classicism, undoubtedly one of the most accomplished of this decade. A bouquet as subtle as it is complex—yellow fruits, candied orange, lemon zest, brioche, and a hint of vanilla—is complemented by a palate of extreme elegance and a balance bordering on perfection. The attack is soft and full-bodied, the development silky and delicate, offering a very fine texture and, the hallmark of the vintage, a remarkable freshness that gives the wine an airy quality and infinite length. A prima ballerina.

About the estate:

A magnificent 17th-century fortified manor surrounded by vineyards, perched atop the hills overlooking the Garonne Valley, Château d'Yquem is unique among grand cru estates in that it has remained in the same family—the Sauvages and later the Lur-Saluces—for nearly four hundred years. An estate that became the jewel of the Sauternes region as early as the 18th century. In addition to its stability, it benefits from a highly diverse and nuanced terroir, composed of a multitude of small hills, with vines on the upper plateau and others on the mid- and lower slopes. This diversity allows the estate to adapt to the whims 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.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the estate:

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

About the estate:

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 First Growth classified as “Superior” in 1855, following in the footsteps of his ancestors. For this wine is perhaps the most consistent in Bordeaux over the past century. Even in poor vintages and difficult periods, Yquem has maintained its standing through its incomparable aging. It owes this to a unique terroir, which responds to the development of botrytis like no other, and to the men who have understood and brought out its qualities. While Yquem may not necessarily impress in its youth, it inevitably 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.

James Suckling

About the wine:

The purity of the Botrytis in this wine is impressive, with dried fruit notes like apple and mango. It then reveals a spicy character. The wine is full-bodied and very sweet, yet incredibly fresh and lively. Such class and elegance. A perfectly crafted wine. Everything is in its place. It displays a captivating delicacy and intensity.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

An inviting, complex bouquet marked by notes of candied lemon, bitter orange, quince, and saffron. There’s an earthy touch with a hint of celery, as well as aromas that remind me of salted caramel. On the palate, the wine is youthful. All the elements are present, both in terms of structure and sweetness. It has body, richness, tension, and savory depth. Nevertheless, it needs time, which is almost always the case with Yquem. You’ll have to be patient; there’s no need to rush. 2024–2070

Jean-Marc Quarin

About the wine:

Golden yellow in color. The nose is intense, refined, subtle, elegant, fresh, and complex. Hints of warm butter emerge as it breathes in the glass. Delicate on the palate at first, light and airy in the mid-palate, and particularly aromatic, rich, and velvety, the wine gains incredible energy between the mid-palate and the finish. It ends with a lingering, very pleasant finish. It’s superb.

Vert de Vin

About the wine:

The nose is fruity, elegant, and fresh. It reveals subtle notes of candied lemon and hints of honey, combined with delicate hints of quince, persimmon, and stewed white fruits (nectarine, pear), as well as subtle hints of pastries, brioche, and gingerbread. The palate is fruity, refined, and balanced, offering a lovely, subtle mineral structure, excellent balance, and beautiful finesse and delicacy. On the palate, this wine expresses delicate notes of lemon, stewed white fruits (nectarine, pear), and subtle hints of quince, combined with a subtle touch of spices, cardamom, and green tea. Good length and a lovely finish.