Château d'Yquem 1996 - 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.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

A genuine fortified manor, this château houses many treasures, including a chapel adorned with Italian frescoes. But its crowning jewel remains its wine, as exemplified by this 1996 vintage. While its brilliant color reveals its richness, the bouquet seems a bit shy at first sniff; but very quickly, its spring-like character and youthfulness emerge, marked by aromas reminiscent of freshly picked grapes as well as spicy notes from the barrel. Full-bodied, rich, and perfectly balanced, the palate is equally harmonious. Candied fruit, citrus zest, quince paste, restrained power—everything is in its place. Impressive in its length, the finish hints at remarkable aging potential. A true classic.

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 wine:

Compared to the flamboyant aromatic profile of the 1997, the 1996 Yquem is more reserved, though it is exceptionally well-endowed. With a luminous golden color and a tight but promising nose featuring notes of toasted hazelnuts blended with crème brûlée, vanilla bean, honey, orange marmalade, and peach aromas, this medium-bodied wine reveals a restrained yet powerful personality. The acidity, balance, texture, and purity are admirable in this impeccably crafted Yquem. However, patience will be a virtue.

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 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.