Chateau d'Yquem 2017 Sauternes 375 ml

A majestic expression of sweet Bordeaux, this 2017 shines with regal richness tempered by vibrant acidity—elegant neither cloying nor heavy, ready to grace the cellar or a celebratory moment today.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Hailing from the revered estate Château d’Yquem in the appellation Sauternes (Gironde, France), this Premier Cru Supérieur covers a rarefied vineyard where grapes are harvested under conditions of noble rot (Botrytis cinerea). The 2017 vintage followed a hot, demanding summer, culminating in a harvest from September 26 to October 13, when the botrytis-infected clusters were meticulously hand-picked.
The blend is traditionally dominated by Sémillon with a smaller proportion of Sauvignon Blanc. At Yquem, extremely low yields and rigorous selection produce intensely concentrated musts. Barrel fermentation and maturation follow, creating a wine that marries opulence with precision.
In this year, critics note a “very flattering and unctuous feel” with an acid backbone that enables longevity.

375 ml "half bottle"

Critics Reviews

• Wine Spectator awarded 96 points, citing “coconut, creamed papaya, toasted hazelnut and warmed peach and tangerine cream” flavors “gliding along in unison” on a “remarkably rich, yet poised and pure” wine. Best from 2025 through 2045.

• Decanter (via Robert Parker’s reviewer Yohan Castaing) awarded 95 points, describing the wine as “intensely aromatic” with “tropical fruit, pineapple, roasted apricot, honey and lime zest.”
  Overall the 2017 is regarded as a serious, classically structured Yquem bearing both power and balance.

Tasting Profile

Nose: A radiant bouquet of baked apricot, fresh pineapple, honeycomb and warm brioche meld with delicate floral hints of orange blossom and saffron. A gentle whisper of caramelised hazelnut adds richness underneath.
Palate: Lush and expansive, the palate delivers deep layers of papaya, mango flesh and tangerine cream, with a subtle saline-mineral lift. The intense sweetness is beautifully anchored by vibrant acid tension, resulting in a texture of polished silk.
Finish: Endlessly long—notes of toasted almond, vanilla pod, pie-crust and a delicate bitterness reminiscent of burnt caramel emerge, drawing the sweetness into refined elegance and leaving a lasting imprint.

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