Sauternes estate with 150 parcels, low yields, and long lived white wine from Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc.
The producer
Château d'Yquem is a Sauternes estate with 150 parcels across three undulating slopes. Its vines average 25 years of age and are generally replaced before they reach 50. Farming became fully organic in 2019, and biodynamic conversion began in 2020. The white wine combines Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc, and full maturity comes after 35 to 50 years or longer. Approximately one glass of wine is produced by each vine annually.
Known for
Low yield, long lived Sauternes
Notable facts
Château d'Yquem manages 113 hectares in total, with approximately 100 hectares under active cultivation.
The estate has maintained a massal selection program since 1992.
Starting with the 2011 vintage, Sauternes appeared on the back label instead of the front label.
Farming became fully organic in 2019, with biodynamic conversion beginning in 2020.
The story
The Contested LVMH Takeover
In late 1996, Bernard Arnault purchased 55% of Château d'Yquem for $101 million, beginning LVMH's takeover. Count Alexandre de Lur Saluces opposed the sale and filed numerous lawsuits in 1997 and 1998 to block the purchase of his relatives' shares. The dispute continued until a final settlement in April 1999. LVMH then acquired additional shares, including the 9% stake held by Count Alexandre de Lur Saluces and his son Bertrand, and achieved majority control of the estate.
From the atlas
Château d'Yquem
A Sauternes estate with 150 parcels, exceptionally low yields, and a white wine made from Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc.
At A Glance
Field
Detail
Appellation
Sauternes
Main grapes
Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc
Vineyard scale
113 hectares total, approximately 100 under active cultivation
Signature wine
Château d'Yquem
Defining feature
Yields of 8 to 10 hectoliters per hectare, with approximately one glass of wine produced by each vine annually
The Producer
The 150 parcels at Château d'Yquem run across three undulating slopes. The estate has maintained a massal selection program since 1992, selecting vine material from existing plantings for future replanting. Vines average 25 years of age and are generally replaced before reaching 50.
The Lur Saluces family controlled Château d'Yquem for approximately 400 years before LVMH's takeover. The estate's white wine remains built around Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc.
Place
Sauternes is the appellation attached to Château d'Yquem. Starting with the 2011 vintage, the estate removed Sauternes from its front label and placed it on the back label. The move presented Yquem as a brand in its own right, with less reliance on the appellation's reputation.
Wines
Château d'Yquem is a white wine from Sauternes, made from 70% Sémillon and 30% Sauvignon Blanc. The 2014 vintage has 135 grams per liter residual sugar and 4.9 grams per liter acidity, with pineapple, grapefruit and candied lemon.
The 2020 vintage is fresh, bright, vibrant and racy. Honeysuckle, dried oranges, apricots, lemon curd, saffron, marzipan, pineapple and vanilla appear on the nose and palate, while its acidity prevents cloying sweetness. Full maturity arrives after 35 to 50 years or longer.
Final Word
Château d'Yquem is a Sauternes white whose label foregrounds the estate name and whose full maturity arrives only after decades.