Y de Yquem

In the glass

Aroma: honeyed citrus, white peach, grapefruit blossom, toasted oak, lemon curd

Palate: rich grapefruit, stone fruit, mineral salinity, vanilla, fresh herbs

The singular dry white wine of Chateau d'Yquem, made only in years when the estate decides against a botrytised grand vin or in addition to it. Sauvignon Blanc-dominant, barrel-fermented in 50% new oak, offering honeyed citrus, white peach, and mineral depth unique to the Sauternes terroir.

What it pairs with

• Grilled halibut with beurre blanc
  Full body and honeyed richness complement the buttery sauce; high acidity keeps the match lively.
• Roast lobster with tarragon butter
  Sweet crustacean and herbed butter partner the wine's stone fruit and herbal character.
• Risotto with white truffle
  The wine's honeyed weight and mineral depth interact dramatically with truffle earthiness.
• Coquilles Saint-Jacques with saffron cream
  Saffron in the dish echoes the terroir character of the wine; sweet scallop complements citrus fruit.

How to serve Y de Yquem

Allow 35 minutes from open to pour.

1. Open and decant. Open 30 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
2. Serve at 10-12°C. Cellar temperature (10-12°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
3. Glassware. Use a medium-sized white-wine glass. The bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
4. Pair with. Grilled halibut with beurre blanc, Roast lobster with tarragon butter, Risotto with white truffle. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.

History

Y de Yquem (pronounced 'Ygrec', meaning the letter Y in French) was first produced in 1959 when harvest conditions in Sauternes did not favour botrytis. The estate decided to produce a dry white wine from the same Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc vines. It is made only in certain years and is considered one of the most unusual and sought-after dry whites in France, produced from the same celebrated terroir as the grand vin.

1. 1959: Y de Yquem first produced; dry white wine from the Sauternes estate
2. 2005: Regular annual production of Y de Yquem begins, though production varies by vintage

Facts

Producer

Chateau d'Yquem · visiting guide

Grapes

Sauvignon Blanc (80%), Semillon (20%)

Classification

Bordeaux AOC (dry white)

Oak

50% new French oak; 10 months

ABV

13.5%

Production

12,000 bottles

Price

EUR 200-280 at retail

Drinking window

5-15 from vintage

First vintage

1959

Biodynamic

Biodynamic Practicing

Organic

ECOCERT

Frequently asked about Y de Yquem

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