Chateau Y'quem 2020 (375ml)

Country/ Region:
France, Bordeaux, Sauternes 1er Cru Supérieur

Background:
It ranked as the only 1er Cru Supérieur (Superior First Growth) in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification. Located in the Sauternes appellation of Bordeaux, France, managed by LVMH, vineyard consists of roughly 100-113 hectares, with a mix of Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc.

The 2020 Château d'Yquem (375ml) is a rare, highly acclaimed Sauternes (1er Cru Supérieur) from a challenging vintage, offering a "crystalline" character with 135 g/L residual sugar. It features intense notes of apricot, orange marmalade, and honeyed saffron. The 2020 vintage saw one of the smallest productions since 2000, making it a collector's item.

Winemaking:
Growing Season: A warm, wet spring caused high mildew pressure (during the first year of official organic conversion), followed by a hot, dry summer.
Harvest & Botrytis: Heavy September sunshine encouraged development, but the team waited for a specific window in mid-October for perfect noble rot concentration.
Production: Extremely low yield resulted in the smallest production since 2000, ensuring scarcity.

Grapes: A blend of roughly 75% Sémillon and 25% Sauvignon

Tasting note:
Floral notes of lime blossom and wild roses, mixed with prickly pear, mirabelle plum, and fresh apricot. Balanced and poised, with high tension, citrus, candied ginger, and a long finish with delicate zesty bitterness.

Food Pairing:
The 375ml bottle is ideal for Sauternes, allowing for consumption of the "liquid gold" without needing to finish a full bottle, as it is a dessert wine. Seared or terrine Foie Gras, this is arguably the most harmonious pairing. The salty, pungent nature of blue cheese is alos perfectly balances the high sugar content of the wine. Particularly good with roast chicken served with root vegetables, which brings out the wine's rich character.

Scores:
[96 Points] James Suckling: "Juicy, bright, clean and complete".
[97 Points] Wine Enthusiast: "Powerful, rich, balancing acidity and sweetness".

Award: N/A