Château d'Yquem,
Château d’Yquem
Yquem occupies a unique position in Bordeaux as the sole Premier Cru Supérieur in the 1855 Sauternes classification. Its extreme longevity and labour-intensive selection make it the benchmark collectible sweet wine. Its value is supported by an identity that no other Bordeaux estate shares.
VINTAGE 1945
Source: Liv-Ex
Jan 2001 – Oct 2005
Within This Period
Varietal:
Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc
Classification:
Sauternes AOC; Premier Cru Supérieur, 1855
Annual Production:
≈ 100,000 bottles in a normal produced vintage; highly variable
SIGNATURE VINTAGES
1921 The historic reference vintage and the personal favourite cited by Yquem’s managing director, produced in extraordinarily hot, dry conditions ideal for Sauternes.
1945 A legendary low-yield post-war vintage.
1967 A classic mature Yquem.
1988/1989/1990 An extraordinary three-vintage run.
2001 The defining modern benchmark with immense concentration, freshness and longevity.
The Investment Case
Yquem's value is supported by an identity that no other Bordeaux estate shares: it is the sole Premier Cru Supérieur of the 1855 Sauternes classification. Production can vary dramatically because botrytised grapes require exceptionally selective harvesting, and entire vintages can be withheld when standards are not met. Its extraordinary longevity also gives collectors a century-plus history of mature bottles to reference.
Country
France
Region
Bordeaux
Varietal
Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc
Sub-region
Sauternes
PORTFOLIO ADVICE
Find out what's currently available, which vintages are worth considering, and get guidance on how it fits your wider fine wine portfolio.
