Château d'Yquem

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Château d’Yquem needs little introduction, and Neal Martin certainly does not hold back on the effusive positivity and lengthy reasoning as to why the estate ‘consistently trumps contenders to the throne’, ultimately concluding that ‘Yquem is unbeatable’ within Sauternes and is to sweet wine what Shakespeare is to literature, Houdini to magic or Pelé to football.

Château d'Yquem, perched on the highest peak of Sauternes, stands as an unrivalled monument of winemaking supremacy. Amid the esteemed Sauternes region, it reigns as the sole Premier Grand Cru Classé, an A* above the A-rated Latour, Lafite, Margaux, and Haut Brion during the revered Bordeaux classification of 1855.

To appreciate the stature of Château d'Yquem, one might imagine the blend of Climens' elegance and Rieussec's potency, its closest rivals, striving to match its eminence. However, such an analogy, though intriguing, wouldn't do justice to any party involved. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Sauternes, the château gazes imperially upon its domain, a visual testament to its undeniable prominence.

The Wine

Beyond its splendid setting, Château d'Yquem owes its enduring supremacy not just to its remarkable location but also to its steadfast devotion to excellence. Amid discussions of vineyard practices and meticulous sorting processes, d'Yquem stands apart with an almost compulsive pursuit of perfection. It's more than a notion – the evidence is in the meticulous multiple passes through the vines, the careful selection of grapes showing advanced botrytis, even if it means leaving behind sparse bunches of grapes with only a handful of berries. Such dedication to the finest yields may be attributed to meticulous viticulture or dismissed as pickers' preference.

Château d'Yquem's enigma is not just in its unparalleled wines but in its unique ethos. It's a testament to devotion, a commitment to creating the pinnacle of sweet wines. Its legacy, from its solitary A* to the sweeping landscape it overlooks, is etched with distinction. Château d'Yquem's reign as an icon is secured not just by its wines, but by its enduring tale of uncompromising pursuit of the extraordinary.