Chateau D'Yquem (pronounced "D kem") was the only Sauternes ranked as a Premier Cru Superior Sauternes in the 1855 Classification system. The vineyard was purchased by Leon de Sauvage D'Yquem in 1711. In 1785, he sold it to the Lur-Saluces family, who owned it until 1996, when, after years of infighting and lawsuits, they sold 55% interest to LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy). In 2004, LVMH purchased the remaining 45% and gave management of the chateaut to Pierre Lurton (of Cheval Blanc) .

The winery is 126 acres but only 100 acres are used to produce grapes. The remaining acres are being regenerated. Each year, Chateau D'Yquem scrubs 2-3 acres and it takes new vines 5-7 years to mature (sorry, in the video I said 2-3 years). The wine is a blend of 80% Semillon and 20% Sauvignon Blanc.

The winery selects/picks grapes 6 times during harvest and the grapes are pressed 3 times before the wine is transferred to oak barrels to mature for 30-36 months. About 65,000 bottles are produced each year. In poor vintages, the crop is deemed unworthy and bearing the chateau's name and sold anonymously. This has happened 9 times in the 20th century (1910, 1915, 1930, 1951, 1952, 1964, 1972, 1974 and 1992) and once in the 21st century (2012).

Wine Spectator rating for this wine is 96 pts

For more information about this winery, please visit their website at [ Ссылка ]

свернуть