Château D'Yquem 2019 - 1st Great Cru Class Sauternes
Great wines are not born by chance, on just any land. A combination of climatic and geological circumstances, combined in a rare balance, allows us to truly speak of Yquem as a "genius of the place."
The Yquem vineyard (113 hectares) is composed of two grape varieties: the rich and sappy Sémillon (75% of the vineyard), which provides structure and volume, and the early-ripening but less consistent Sauvignon (25% of the vineyard), which complements the wine with its aromas and finesse. It is carefully tended.
Only a hundred or so are in production, since each year, two to three hectares of overgrown vines are uprooted and left fallow for a year. They are then replanted, and the new vines will need at least five years before they can produce grapes that meet Yquem's very strict criteria. A dozen hectares are thus permanently dormant.
This vineyard is carefully tended, and the teams working on the estate continue to cultivate the soil and tend the vines in a traditional manner under the direction of the vineyard manager.
The influence of the microclimate present in Sauternes is evident in the concentration of all the sweet Bordeaux appellations (Sainte Croix du Mont, Loupiac, Cérons, Cadillac, Barsac) within 20 km on either side of the Garonne Valley.
Source: Château D'Yquem
The final blend contains 138 g/l of residual sugar, slightly less than the previous vintage, with a total acidity of 5.5 g/l and 14.4% alcohol. Tasting the 2019, I noticed it had a slightly paler hue compared to recent vintages (although I never trust the color of young Sauternes too much).
Certainly, its highly aromatic bouquet is seductively pure, with aromas of goat's milk leaf and saffron, soon joined by chamomile, white flowers, and orange blossom.
It is wonderfully defined and gains intensity with aeration. The palate is supremely well-balanced with a fine bead of acidity. Very harmonious and endowed with the right amount of viscosity, this Yquem is surprisingly understated at first but gains in presence, offering irresistible flavors of layers of honey, lemongrass, lemon thyme, and orange pith. Yquem is so tempting in its youth, but I think this vintage will reward those with the good sense to cellar it for at least a decade.
By Neal Martin, Vinous.com, February 2022
Data sheet
- Designation
- Sauternes
- Year
- 2019
- Color
- White
- Acceptance
- 85% sauvignon, 15% sémillon
- Alcohol level
- 13°5
- Apogee
- 2024 - 2050
Jean-Marc Quarin - Noté 97/100 (february 2022)
Vinous / Neal Martin - Noté 95+/100 (february 2023)
Lisa Perrotti-Brown / The Wine Independent - Noté 97+/100 (march 2022)