Château d'Yquem 1995 - 1er Cru Classé Supérieur

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

Yquem enjoys a unique status in Bordeaux wine production, which places it virtually beyond the reach of critical judgment. The approximately 100 hectares of vineyards are divided between Sémillon and Sauvignon, planted on gravelly hilltops with a more clay-rich subsoil. The estate produces no 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 the possibility of taking the easy way out! Yquem deserves its status as the Premier des Premiers among Sauternes wines more than ever. The inclusion of Sauvignon Blanc in 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 a celebration that is even more precise and balanced than in previous decades, satisfying both our senses and our intellect.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

It is in the bluish dawn of the Sauternes region, when the crenellations of the manor seem to blend into the hillside, that one must experience Yquem. It is then that the full power of this exceptional terroir becomes apparent—a terroir that produces wines like this 1995 vintage, with its sumptuous, deep gold color. Moving from candied notes to those of ripe grapes and citrus, not to mention hints of honey, wax, or currants, the bouquet possesses the complexity befitting a great sweet wine. The aromatic expression on the palate is just as rich, as is the structure of impressive volume. Long, full-bodied, and rich, yet highly elegant, this wine promises a maturation process spanning several decades: a truly great bottle to be cellared for ten or fifteen years, or even much longer.

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—first the Sauvages, then 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 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.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

The 1995 Château d'Yquem is currently in its phase of secondary aromas. Deep golden in color, it boasts a dense bouquet, almost reminiscent of a Barsac, with notes of mandarin, apricot, acacia, and melted candle wax. It displays good intensity that unfolds beautifully in the glass. The palate opens with a slight bitterness that gives it great tension. One can detect hints of marmalade infused with honey, and a powerful, spicy finish that lingers long on the palate. It can be enjoyed now, but will surely age gracefully for many years to come.

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 weak 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 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.

Jancis Robinson