Château d'Yquem Sauternes 2021 - 1er Cru Classé Supérieur

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

Yquem enjoys a unique status among Bordeaux producers, placing it virtually beyond critical judgment. The hundred or so hectares under cultivation are divided between Sémillon and Sauvignon, on gravelly hilltops with a more clayey subsoil. The estate does not produce any small or even average vintages, as it does not tolerate any compromise. In fact, it decided not to produce a 2012 vintage, as the quality was not considered high enough for the estate. The LVMH group (which took it over 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 the possibility of taking the easy option! Yquem deserves more than ever its rank as the Premier among the Premier wines of Sauternes. The arrival of Sauvignon in the blends, the flexibility of adapting the aging process to the nature of the vintage, and of course a unique agronomic know-how make each vintage even more precise and balanced than in previous decades, satisfying both our senses and our intellect.

Guide Hachette des vins

About wine:

Two welcome rains in mid-September and early October, followed by three weeks of dry, cool, and sunny weather, created an ideal environment for botrytis. Immediately vibrant, the nose reveals notes of candied lemon, mango, and bitter orange against a backdrop of cedar and sweet spices. Full-bodied and energetic from the first sip, the wine settles into a voluptuous, creamy, and caressing palate, more floral in its expression, subtly underpinned by remarkable freshness that extends and illuminates the fruit in a salty, bittersweet finish. A moved jury described it as a monument of elegance and purity. A work of art. 2030–2050

About the estate:

A magnificent 17th-century fortified manor house surrounded by vineyards, perched atop the hills overlooking the Garonne Valley, Château d'Yquem is unique among grands crus in that it has remained in the same family, first the Sauvages and then the Lur-Saluces, for nearly four hundred years. Since the 18th century, the estate has been the jewel in the crown of the Sauternes region. In addition to its stability, it benefits from a highly varied and nuanced terroir, composed of a multitude of small hills, with vines at the top of the plateau and others in the middle and lower slopes. This diversity allows the estate 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 in its category—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 estate:

Recognized as the world's most famous sweet wine, Yquem has been owned since 1999 by the LVMH group, headed by businessman Bernard Arnault. The château is now represented by Pierre Lurton, who also heads Château Cheval Blanc in Saint-Émilion. Before him, Alexandre de Lur Saluces wrote some of the finest pages in the history of the unique premier cru classé supérieur in 1855, following in the footsteps of his ancestors. This wine is perhaps the most consistent in Bordeaux over the last hundred years. Even in poor vintages and difficult periods, Yquem has maintained its status thanks to its incomparable aging potential. It owes this to a unique terroir, which reacts to the development of botrytis like no other, and to people who have understood and enhanced 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 sweet wine lover should have in their lifetime.

James Suckling

About wine:

Subtle, dreamlike aromas of dried fruits such as apricot and mango, as well as fresh lemon and pear. This gives way to notes of caramel and Tarte Tatin, with hints of banana, pineapple, mandarin, and other tropical fruits. Full-bodied, it remains lively and compact, lending it a surprising lightness despite its imposing structure. The tannins, present on the palate, blend perfectly, giving it a solid presence, much like a diamond. The finish is taut but promises remarkable length, with a slightly meaty texture and beautiful complexity. Hints of sweetness, clove, and bitterness lend it great complexity. A dynamic wine. Approximately 54,000 bottles produced. A relatively modest harvest. 148 g/L of residual sugar.

Yves Beck

About wine:

Thanks to the windy climate of the area, the Yquem vineyards were largely spared from frost. Aside from the frost episode, the season was complicated; Lorenzo Pasquini, Yquem’s director, explains: every problem one might encounter in viticulture occurred… but in the end, the growing season concluded with 17 days of fine weather, without excessive temperatures. Aged in 100% new oak. The bouquet immediately displays a very distinctive character, unique to Yquem, with intensity, but above all, numerous nuances. Subtle nuances of coconut, nougat, crème brûlée, orange peel, verbena, and finally a hint of earthiness. As it opens up, the nose continues to reveal new elements (mango, apricot, and peppermint). The attack, dense and creamy, heralds a powerful, fresh, and harmonious wine, perfectly supported by its structure. The balance between sweet and savory is perfect. The aromatic nuances revealed on the nose reappear on the mid- and finish. The aromatic character is enhanced by freshness and acidity, while sweetness is just one element among many. The wine’s progression across the palate is indicative of its complexity; Yquem reveals itself step by step, all the while conveying its grandeur and depth. The wine is rich, full-bodied, smooth, and persistent. It features beautiful bitter notes on the finish that underscore not only the intensity but also the persistence. The finish is seemingly endless. Inviting and captivating, Yquem 2021 offers the promise of enjoyment in its youth, right now, but also in 100 years (probably)—though in the latter case, it will be future generations who will enjoy it! Now – 2121

Vert de Vin

About wine:

The nose is beautifully light, elegant, fresh, and full-bodied, displaying a broad range of aromas and excellent definition. It offers a hint of spice, a crystalline character, and notes of quince, cardamom, and, more subtly, ripe citrus fruits, combined...

The Wine Cellar Insider - Jeff Leve

About wine:

The complex aromatic profile bursts forth in the glass with notes of pineapple, papaya, apricot, Meyer lemon, mandarin peel, caramel, honey, vanilla, saffron, cashews, and candied grapefruit. On the palate, it strikes the perfect balance between hedonism and vibrancy. It is clearly very sweet, but its racy acidity lends it incredible liveliness, energy, and length. The fruit expresses its full purity through notes of mandarin, orange, mango, papaya, banana, and pineapple, all coated in honey. This is one of those Yquem wines that can be enjoyed either as a sweet wine or, thanks to its liveliness, with a wide variety of savory and spicy dishes. Produced from a blend of 65% Sémillon and 35% Sauvignon Blanc, 148 grams per liter, 14% alcohol, pH 3.79. Yields were only 8 hectoliters per hectare. The harvest took place over a long period, from September 12 to October 27, with a total of four passes. As you can see, the harvest was quite long, but the core of the vintage was harvested between mid-October and late October. Drink between 2027 and 2075.