Chateau d'Yquem "Y" Bordeaux Blanc 2020

Chateau d'Yquem "Y" Bordeaux Blanc 2020

Château d’Yquem is considered by many to be one of the greatest – if not the greatest – wines in Bordeaux.  The luscious, weighty, complexly honeyed Sauternes the estate produces has captivated the palates of many throughout the ages.  From critics such as Robert Parker who swear by this wine, to United States Presidents of yore like Thomas Jefferson, there is one thing they can all agree on – Château d’Yquem is one of the best wines in the world.  For those who love their wine on the drier side, “Y” by Yquem is a powerful wine with beautiful balance – a stunning expression of White Bordeaux if there ever was one. 
 
The history of this estate is a lengthy one, dating back to the middle ages when it was owned by the King of England.  Over a century later, the property was acquired by Jacques Sauvage, who had the château built within the Sauternes appellation.  The same château still stands to this day.  Château d’Yquem produced Sauternes in 1666 and hosts a lengthy legacy of perfecting the craft of this high-risk endeavor.  For those familiar with Sauternes,  they will understand that in order for a producer to make it, significant portions of the vineyard must be infected with the noble rot or botrytis cinera.  This noble rot raisinates the grapes just prior to the harvest and vinification process and the result is a truly memorable wine with a rich consistency, lingering finish, and honeyed taste.  Since Y is a dry white wine, the vines for this have not been touched with the noble rot. 
 
Château d’Yquem is blessed with some exceptional terroir, and it is the only producer that is classified as a First Growth Premier Cru Superieur within the appellation.   The 113 hectare property is planted in the highest elevation of the Sauternes appellation at an impressive 80 meters above sea level.  The microclimate is very unique to Château d’Yquem, with gentle winds that remove excessive moisture – but allow just enough to cultivate the noble rot.  The estate hosts limestone and clay soils of myriad colors.  Interestingly enough, Château d’Yquem hosts the same blue clay as the legendary Pomerol producer, Château Petrus.  The plantings of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc are harvested by hand, berry by berry, in a series of multiple passes.  The wine is then vinified in New French oak, with the assistance of Pierre Lurton – who is also associated with the Saint-Émilion estate Château Cheval Blanc. 
 
Y is only made in select vintages.  The first vintage of this dry white wine was made in 1959.  The berries for Y are picked prior to the harvesting of vines for the Sauternes.  Y is typically a mixture of 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Semillon.  The Semillon is picked just prior to developing noble rot for this wine.  Y is a rare find, as less than 1,000 cases are produced each year.  Y has a dry steeliness from Sauvignon Blanc coupled with the richly honeyed qualities of Semillon.