CHÂTEAU D'YQUEM, Y D'YQUEM
BORDEAUX, FRANCE 2021
Why Buy: Talk about rare. This is only the 40th time in the history of the extraordinary Château d'Yquem that this small-production white wine has been produced — a 98-point beauty made from the same outstanding terroir and the same vines as Superior First Growth Château d'Yquem Sauternes, and lavished with the same fastidious attention to detail at every step of the process.
What They're Saying: In her 98-point paean, Jane Anson declared it “exceptional” and “voluptuous,” writing that it possesses all the “richness, complexity and concentration” of an Yquem.
The Story: Y (pronounced E-greck) was first made in 1959, albeit in miniscule quantities and on an irregular basis. "A Sauternes with less sugar," is how the estate's CEO Pierre Lurton described it to The Wine Independent. That changed in 1996, when it evolved into its current, off-dry style, with greater freshness and crispness. In 2004, buoyed by its success, Lurton decided to make Y annually, and now Yquem harvests certain plots of Sauvignon Blanc at the beginning of the vintage, making sure to pick perfectly ripe bunches. These are complemented by Sémillon grapes that are picked at that fleeting stage when the grapes have reached maximum ripeness and botrytis has just appeared, and the skins have turned a delicate pink.
Specs: Though harvested and produced in an altogether different manner from the estate's Sauternes, the wine receives close attention during every stage: light, precise pressing, as well as temperature-controlled must racking and fermentation in a new, state-of-the-art vat room dedicated expressly to this extraordinary expression. The final blend is made up predominantly of Sauvignon Blanc, with Semillon making up the rest, and spent 12 months in barrel (80% of which were one-year old, the remainder new oak).
Our Tasting Notes: A wine to be sipped slowly, in full contemplation of its many nuances and details, and, above all, of the rarefied journey it takes you on. The palate is lush but defined, and the vein of acidity that runs through it gives it an almost nervy energy. The finish is long and flavorful, and, remarkably, the quality of the fruit just as strong at the close as it is at your first nosing of the glass.
ABV: 14.5%
Fun Fact: Fewer than 2,000 cases of Y are produced per vintage.
Our Guarantee: We always buy and source direct, so you can be confident that your wine will arrive in your hands with pristine provenance. Don't hesitate to secure yours today!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Winter 2023 (Dec. 21st - Mar. 20th, 2024). All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer not valid in KS, MI, NY, or TN. This offer is for ONE WEEK, or until sold out, and will expire on Tuesday, September 26th, 2023.
