98 Points
98 Points
97 Points
97 Points

Chateau d'Yquem 2019

SKU: CHDY201910 UCAU

$894.99

Unit price: per

"Yquem is so tempting in its youth, but I feel that this vintage will repay those with the nous to cellar for at least a decade." - 98 Points, Neil Martin, Vinous

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Critic Scores

98 // Neil Martin

"Owners LVMH took the decision to delay the release of the 2019 Yquem until spring 2022. It was tasted with winemaker Sandrine Garbay in London. After the summer drought when Sauternes received just 2.5mm of rain until 26 July, that day saw a 112mm deluge that replenished underground reserves and gave ripening the push it needed. Dry and warm conditions prevailed throughout September when there was no sign of botrytis infection. That was finally provoked by 38mm of rain between 21 and 25 of September, followed by warm clement weather. After minor picking of Sauvignon Blanc on 7 of October, the main harvest began in earnest on 10 October. Pickers worked over the following five days, including Sunday. Time was of the essence because, as forecasts predicted, the weather suddenly changed on 14 of October with 40mm or rain. After that, the picking teams skirted between showers between 17 and 22 of October, though by now the fruit had begun to deteriorate. Therefore, the key aspect of this Yquem is the extremely tight picking window. The final blend contains 138g/L residual sugar, which is slightly less than the previous vintage, with 5.5g/L total acidity and 14.4% alcohol. Tasting the 2019, I noticed that it has a slightly paler hue compared to recent vintages (though I never read too much into the colour of young Sauternes.) For certain, it has a highly-aromatic bouquet that is beguiling in purity, enticing aromas of honeysuckle and saffron, soon joined by camomile, white flowers and orange blossom. It has wonderful delineation and gains intensity with aeration. The palate is supremely well-balanced with fine bead of acidity. Very harmonious and armed with just the right amount of viscosity, this Yquem is surprisingly understated at first but gains presence, offering irresistible flavours of layers of honey, lemongrass, lemon thyme and orange pith. Yquem is so tempting in its youth, but I feel that this vintage will repay those with the nous to cellar for at least a decade."

98 // The Wine Cellar Insider

"Light, yellow, gold in color, the wine pops on the nose with its showy display of flowers, honeysuckle, candied apricots, orange rind, pineapple, mango, lemongrass, vanilla and spice. Perched on the corner of richness, sweetness and acidity, the wine is opulent, fresh, sweet, rich and most-importantly, lifted, so everything feels upbeat and racy on the backend. Because the wine has so much lift and energy, it will be easy to pair with a diverse array of cuisines. You can enjoy this young, without much if any age for its sweetness and exuberance. Or age it for secondary characteristics and nuances. Produced from a blend of 55% Semillon and 45% Sauvignon Blanc , 2019 has the highest percentage of Sauvignon Blanc ever used in d'Yquem. You find more Sauvignon Blanc this year due to the shortened picking window. But as you can see from my notes, or from tasting the wine, it really works here! Drink from 2025-2075. - Tasted: Mar 2022 - Jeff Leve"

97 // Jane Anson

"A beautiful wine, that I describe as showing 'Clear push and pull between acidity and lusciousness from the first moments'. A higher percentage of Sauvignon Blanc than in a typical year, showing in sculpted gun smoke and white truffle on the opening beats. Fresher flavours continue with lemongrass and lime zest, broadening out into luscious mango, grilled caramel, pineapple and brioche, and a welcome edge of bitterness on the finish with mandarin peel and oyster shell salinity."

97 // Decanter

"The 2019 vintage of Château d'Yquem has the highest proportion (45%) of Sauvignon Blanc in any modern Yquem. The Sauvignon Blanc adds to the freshness, acting as a great balance to the succulent, sweet and voluptuous palate. Intense peach and apricot, combined with lemon and orange zest, make this highly appealing to drink right away – an ideal vintage with which to start Yquem’s ‘lighthouse’ project. However, it would be a shame not to give this 10+ years maturation to see how it develops. Very well, I suspect. The growing season was both warm and wet, with mildew a big threat. After a mostly dry September, 40mm rain came at the end of the month, leading to a very short harvest window. All of the Yquem grapes were picked in two tries within a one-week period."

Product Details

Dessert

2019

Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon

Chateau d'Yquem

Graves, Bordeaux, France

15 Plus Years

Cork

14.0%

750ml (Bottle)

Sustainable

Estimated dispatch from Warehouse: Friday, September 19, 2025

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

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Description

Great wines are not born just anywhere. At Château d’Yquem, a rare equilibrium of climate and terroir creates a wine like no other. As the only estate classified as Premier Cru Supérieur in the 1855 classification, Yquem represents the pinnacle of Sauternes. The estate’s delicate and unique microclimate allows for the formation of noble rot, shaping a wine of remarkable elegance and complexity.
Château d’Yquem 2019 is a model of purity and harmony, shaped by a warm and dry growing season. Bursting with notes of pineapple, candied citrus, and acacia honey, the wine offers an opulent yet beautifully poised palate. Flavours of peach, vanilla, and spice are lifted by precise acidity, creating an extraordinary balance between richness and freshness. With its impeccable structure and long ageing potential, the 2019 vintage is a refined and collectible expression of this iconic château.
Tasting Profile

Light

Full

Low Tannin

Tannic

Sweet

Dry

Low Acidity

High Acidity

Aroma:

Floral, Lemon, Mineral

Palate:

Slate, Stonefruit, Tropical Fruit

Food Pairings:

Asian

Fish

Shellfish

Tasting Notes

Description

Great wines are not born just anywhere. At Château d’Yquem, a rare equilibrium of climate and terroir creates a wine like no other. As the only estate classified as Premier Cru Supérieur in the 1855 classification, Yquem represents the pinnacle of Sauternes. The estate’s delicate and unique microclimate allows for the formation of noble rot, shaping a wine of remarkable elegance and complexity.

Château d’Yquem 2019 is a model of purity and harmony, shaped by a warm and dry growing season. Bursting with notes of pineapple, candied citrus, and acacia honey, the wine offers an opulent yet beautifully poised palate. Flavours of peach, vanilla, and spice are lifted by precise acidity, creating an extraordinary balance between richness and freshness. With its impeccable structure and long ageing potential, the 2019 vintage is a refined and collectible expression of this iconic château.

Tasting Profile

Light
Full

Low Tannin
Tannic

Sweet
Dry

Low Acidity
High Acidity

Aroma:

Floral, Lemon, Mineral

Palate:

Slate, Stonefruit, Tropical Fruit

Food Pairings:

Asian

Fish

Shellfish

Chateau d'Yquem

Château d’Yquem has always been prized by wealthy wine lovers and has a long and interesting history starting in the Middle Ages when the estate belonged to the King of England.

Some characteristics for which Château d'Yquem are known for is their complexity, concentration, sweetness and longetivity. A bottle will keep for a century or more if properly looked after. In this time, the fruity overtones will gradually fade and combine with more complex secondary and tertiary flavours. In 1996, wine expert Robert Parker scored the wine a perfect 100 points.

The vineyard has 126 hectares in the Sauternes appellation, but only 100 hectares are in production at any time. Roughly 20 hectares are held in reserve each year, as grapes from newly planted vines are not worthy of the chateau name for five to seven years. In a poor vintage, it is sold anonymously. The vines consist of 80% Sémillon and 20% Sauvignon blanc, though the proportions are thought to be more equal in the final wine. On average, 65,000 bottles are produced every year.

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