Château D'YQUEM 2013
On the heights of Sauternes, Château d’Yquem occupies a unique position in the Bordeaux vineyard. The only estate classified as Premier Cru Supérieur in 1855, it relies on a complex terroir of gravel, clay, and sandier soils that promotes slow and regular ripening of the grapes. Sémillon largely dominates the grape variety and brings the richness, depth, and aging capacity characteristic of the vintage, while Sauvignon Blanc contributes freshness and aromatic precision. The proximity of the Ciron and the Garonne plays a decisive role in the development of Botrytis cinerea, essential for the production of the great sweet wines of Sauternes. The harvest is carried out by successive selections, each pass retaining only the berries that have reached the desired level of concentration. The 2013 vintage was particularly demanding, with rigorous selection becoming essential to preserve the purity and balance of the wine. This year produces a Yquem built more on freshness, tension, and finesse than on power.
Château d’Yquem 2013 is based on a blend largely dominated by Sémillon, complemented by Sauvignon Blanc. Sémillon provides a deep and enveloping texture, as well as aromas of yellow fruits, apricot, and honey that gain complexity with aging. Sauvignon Blanc acts as a true counterpoint, enhancing citrus, liveliness, and the sensation of length. The successive selections allow the integration of botrytized grapes with different levels of concentration, contributing to the final complexity of the cuvée. Barrel aging slowly supports the material and refines the texture without erasing the expression of the fruit. The vintage profile favors precision and balance, with acidity particularly useful to support the sweet richness. Still young, the 2013 has a sufficiently solid structure to evolve harmoniously over several decades.
The color shows a bright golden hue still relatively young. The nose combines apricot, yellow peach, candied orange peel, and exotic fruits with nuances of honey, wax, and dried flowers. With aeration, saffron, sweet spices, marmalade, and a slight touch of vanilla gradually appear. The palate is ample without heaviness, with a silky texture carried by a clear acidity that structures the whole. The candied fruit remains very present, but freshness brings a sensation of precision and maintains remarkable dynamism until the finish. The finish extends on citrus, apricot, honey, and spices, with beautiful persistence. Château d’Yquem 2013 will accompany foie gras, lobster with sweet spices, poultry with morels, a blue cheese, or can be served alone at the end of the meal.
Grape varieties: Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc
