Château D'Yquem Sauternes 2020

Château d’Yquem Sauternes 2020 - Sauternes, Bordeaux, France

Producer's Notes:

Early vegetative development due to a warm and rainy spring is slowed down by wet and cool conditions in June. The heat and very low rainfall during the summer do not impact the vineyard, thanks to the water reserves built up in the spring. If the sunshine recorded in September allows for the harvest of a first qualitative sorting, the rains at the end of the month favor the homogeneous development of Botrytis cinerea. It is only from the weekend of October 18th that a favorable five-day weather window allows for refining the concentration of fully botrytized berries. The harvest was carried out in 5 successive sortings, spread over 16 days of harvest between September 14 and October 29.

Nose
Expressive, the nose seduces with its floral (lime, wild rose) and fruity (prickly pear, mirabelle plum, fresh apricot) fragrances.

Palate
Ideally balanced, the palate harmoniously combines a lively and refreshing touch with a sunny aromatic structure evoking aromas of orange marmalade and mandarin. Persistent, the finish exhales an elegant zesty bitterness.

What we say:

From the legendary estate that defines the art of botrytised sweet wines, the 2020 vintage of Château d’Yquem blends 75% Sémillon and 25% Sauvignon Blanc, with an exceptional balance of richness, purity and age-worthiness. This is a wine of extraordinary pedigree - offering both immediate presence and many decades of potential ahead. 

The nose brims with aromas of apricot, mandarin, candied ginger, orange blossom, pineapple, almond tart and saffron. On the palate it’s full-bodied yet lithe, with succulent stone and tropical fruit, exotic spice, refined botrytis sweetness, and razor-sharp acidity driving a long mineral finish. It’s luxurious yet structured - classic Yquem, but with its own refined 2020 imprint. 

Grape varieties: 75% Sémillon, 25% Sauvignon Blanc

Style: Premium, noble-rot dessert wine from Yquem’s iconic terroir

Drink window: 2027–2055+

Perfect for: Foie gras, blue cheeses, fruit-based desserts, or as the showpiece centre of an exceptional fine wine collection

An icon of sweetness and finesse - this is Yquem at its enduring best.