Château d’Yquem

Château d’Yquem is a famous name the world over and a producer that rarely disappoints. Revered as the world’s greatest sweet Bordeaux, it is sought after every vintage without fail. It was the only Sauternes rated as Premier Cru Supérieur in the 1855 Classifications, a rank created solely for d’Yquem, although its illustrious history dates back much further. Like its unique classification, d’Yquem sits elevated above Sauternes, with its elegant château visible from miles around. It had been in the Lur-Saluces family since 1785 until it was sold to LVMH in 1999. Its top quality has continued unabashed however and there are 100 hectares of Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc vines which lie on top of warm, dry soils which keep the heat through a pebble top layer. The estate installed over 100km of drains since the 19th century to ensure consistent drainage and also has its own weather stations dotted around the property to ensure harvest happens at precisely the right time- the date of which can vary by weeks, vintage to vintage. Plots are vinified separately depending on the day they are picked.