Château d'Yquem Collection

Terroir, Noble Rot & Extreme Selection

Perched on the highest hill in Sauternes, the 113-hectare vineyard operates under microclimatic conditions that yield a distinct style:

• Botrytis Cinerea (Noble Rot): Morning mists from the Ciron River followed by warm sun create ideal conditions for noble rot, dehydrating the grapes and concentrating natural sugars, acidity, and flavor compounds.

• Drastic Yield Controls: Harvested strictly by hand in multiple successive passes (tries), picking only individual berries affected by rot. The yields are notoriously low—legendarily stated as "one glass of wine per vine."

• The Blend & Oak Regime: Typically composed of 80% Sémillon (for body, honey, and weight) and 20% Sauvignon Blanc (for bright acidity and floral aromatics), aged for up to 30 months in 100% new French oak.

• Profile: Intensely aromatic, offering layers of candied apricot, orange marmalade, saffron, honeysuckle, and toasted brioche balanced by high, balancing acidity.

Bottlings Featured in Our Collection

• Château d'Yquem (Grand Vin): The estate’s iconic flagship sweet wine. Remarkably complex in its youth, it possesses structural balance capable of aging for 50 to 100+ years.

• "Y" (Ygrec): The estate’s rare dry white wine, produced in select vintages from early-harvested Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. Crisp, mineral-driven, and complex with subtle oak influence.

Landmark Vintages for Collectors

Famous for skipping vintages entirely when quality standards are not met (such as 1964, 1972, 1992, and 2012), key benchmark releases for d'Yquem include 1988, 1989, 1990, 2001, 2005, 2009, 2015, and 2017—vintages recognized by global wine authorities for exceptional balance and depth.

Browse our selection of Château d'Yquem sweet wines and Ygrec dry whites below.