Description
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A short history of Chateau d’Yquem
Château d’Yquem in Sauternes stands out as the only wine classified as Premier Cru Supérieur in the 1855 classification.
Château d’Yquem almost had English origins.
During the Middle Ages, the King of England, who was also Duke of Aquitaine at the time, owned the estate.
In 1453, Charles VII regained southwest France under the dominion of the French crown and has kept it French ever since.
A century and a half later, in 1593, Jacques Sauvage, a descendant of a local noble family, received feudal tenure over Yquem.
The Gironde department archives, as well as those of the château, indicate that special winegrowing practices and late harvesting already existed at this time.
Furthermore, the château has hosted a vineyard since at least 1711, when Léon de Sauvage d’Yquem fully owned the estate.
Subsequently, in 1785, Françoise-Joséphine de Sauvage d’Yquem married Count Louis-Amédée de Lur-Saluces, and the estate passed to the Lur-Saluces family.
Notably, their descendants managed the property for over 200 years.
In fact, by the eighteenth century, people already recognized its wine as renowned.
After centuries of family ownership, Louis Vuitton-Moët-Hennessy purchased d’Yquem in 2000.
Then, in 2004, Pierre Lurton, MD at Château Cheval Blanc (another LVMH property), assumed control.
On average, Château d’Yquem in Sauternes produces only 65,000 bottles each year.
Moreover, the yield never exceeds 900 litres per hectare, compared to the usual 2,000 to 3,000 litres in Sauternes.
Interestingly, the legend states that just one glass of wine comes from each vine.
Château d’Yquem 1988 price
Spring was warm, but very wet, with late flowering.
However, the tide turned in July when beautiful weather set in.
The harvest began late, in mid-October, and stretched until All Saints’ Day.
The grapes developed evenly during this time and were able to take their time to reach complete maturity.
There were six passes altogether, each of excellent quality.
1988 Château d’Yquem Sauternes is very full and classic – one of the Chateau d’Yquem Sauternes wine best years.
