Single-Owner Private Collection of Fine Wines from Bordeaux, Burgundy, Alsace and Champagne
Live Virtual Auction, 16 May 2021
Single-Owner Private Collection of Fine Wines
Incl. Buyer's Premium & VAT
About this Item
Château d`Yquem, often described as the greatest sweet wine in the world and the only Sauternes First Growth of Bordeaux. Few wines in the world have produced consistently noble quality for more than 4 centuries.
Established in 1593, the property consists of a 110-hectare vineyard planted with 80% Semillon and 20% Sauvignon Blanc. The wines are created from botrytized fruit that is picked by hand in several passes ‘tiers’ by up to 150 harvesters. Château d'Yquem is the product of meticulous work in the vineyard, along with the estate’s exceptional terroir, and centuries of inherited knowledge since 1593, it has gained the reputation of the world’s finest sweet wine.
In the Bordeaux Classification of 1855, Château d'Yquem was given the unique and unsurpassable rank of Premier Cru Supérieur, ahead of all other Sauternes, indicating its perceived superiority and ability to command by far the highest prices. The wines of Château d'Yquem are characterised by their complexity, concentration and longevity. In a good year, a bottle will only begin to show its qualities after a decade or two of cellaring and with proper care, will keep for a century or more, gradually adding layers of complexity.
Provenance
Private Client
Critics Ratings
‘Clear lucid gold with green tints. The nose is very elegant and well defined, touches of wet wool, honey, wood resin and barley sugar (a la Barsac). The palate is far better than the nose with a lovely creamy, harmonious texture with perfect acidity and balance. Citrus peel, fresh ginger, dried apricot, ginger and orange sorbet with noticeable residual sugar on the finish. This is probably an underrated Yquem given market prices, but the modest nose means I must temper my appraisal.’ - Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 91/100 (Mar 2010)