For centuries Yquem has been unchallenged as the finest example of Sauternes and the most famous sweet wine in the world. A dramatically rich wine of dizzying complexity and extravagant depth, it is capable of aging effortlessly for several decades. Vine yields are tiny, with perfectly botrytized grapes harvested in a number of labor-intensive passes through the vineyard, and the wine undergoes three years or more of aging in new oak barrels. The estate's history dates to 1593, and since 1855, Yquem has existed literaly in a class of its own-- the only wine from Sauternes and Barsac labeled a Premier Cru Supérieur. In 2004, the majority shareholder, LVMH/Moët Hennessey, installed Pierre Lurton, director of Château Cheval Blanc, as manager of the estate.

For centuries Yquem has been unchallenged as the finest example of Sauternes and the most famous sweet wine in the world. A dramatically rich wine of dizzying complexity and extravagant depth, it is capable of aging effortlessly for several decades. Vine yields are tiny, with perf... more