Château D'Yquem 2009 - 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