Sauternes AOC Château d’Yquem Premier Grand Cru 2007 Château d'Yquem

Sauternes Château d'Yquem is born in vineyards located in the Gironde, south of the Bordeaux region. Château d'Yquem is one of the premier crus included in the Official Classification of Bordeaux Wines of 1855, the only Sauternes. This classification system was wanted by the Emperor Napoleon III on the occasion of the Universal Exposition of Paris, in order to make the best Bordeaux wines more recognizable even outside the borders of France. The wines were ordered from the first to the fifth cru based on the reputation of the cellar and the price, which at the time was a factor directly related to quality. Together with the other premier cru Grand Classé it is considered a legend that made the history of wine.

It is mainly produced with Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc grapes, harvested in several stages, grape by grape, after the bunches left to dry on the plant, have been attacked by noble rot, Botrytis cinerea. Fermentation takes place in barriques for 2-6 weeks at controlled temperature, with a stop on the lees for at least 6 months. Subsequently the wine ages for 20 months in barriques, before being bottled.

Due to the bad weather during the whole season, 2007 seemed like a year to forget: a cold summer, with 100mm of rainfall that had caused many berries to explode. The maturation was therefore very irregular, however a miraculous and radical change in the climate conducive to Botrytis transformed what initially seemed to be a handicap into a decisive advantage. In fact, the variety and complexity of the grapes harvested during the various stages produced a fantastic wine.

This Sauternes is characterized by an intense amber yellow color. The nose opens with a complex and harmonious bouquet, with fragrant aromas of dried apricot and candied fruit, accompanied by hints of honey, cinnamon, saffron and nougat. On the palate it is velvety and dense, with a good body, with hints of honey and citrus peel which prelude to a pleasantly spicy finish.

Perfect to accompany blue and aged cheeses, this sweet wine is ideal in combination with fruit tarts and dry or cream pastries.