{"product_id":"1998-chateau-dyquem-375ml-half-bottle","title":"1998 Chateau d'Yquem 375ml Half Bottle","description":"\u003ch3\u003e375ml Half Bottle\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eOverview\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 1998 Chateau d'Yquem is a rare half-bottle release from Sauternes, Bordeaux, produced by one of the most celebrated sweet wine estates in the world. Classified as Premier Cru Superieur in 1855, Yquem is renowned for its meticulous vineyard selection, noble rot concentration and extraordinary ageing potential.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis vintage is described by the estate as seductive and generous, shaped by early warmth, September rain that encouraged botrytis, and drying easterly winds that concentrated the fruit. The result is a layered Sauternes with sweetness, acidity and oak ageing held in long-lived balance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eVintage \u0026amp; Winemaking\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 1998 vintage was marked by warm, dry conditions and early budburst, followed by September rainfall that triggered botrytis development. Picking was interrupted by showers over an extended period, with multiple passes through the vineyard required to select the best noble-rot affected berries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe wine was barrel fermented and aged for 36 months in new French oak, giving structure, richness and longevity to its Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc base.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eProduct Highlights\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003ePremier Cru Superieur Sauternes from Chateau d'Yquem.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eRare 375ml half bottle format.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eSweet Bordeaux made from Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eAged 36 months in new French oak.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eGrand Gold at Berlin Wine Trophy 2015.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDrinking window: 2003-2053.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eCritic Scores \u0026amp; Reviews\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e95 points - The Wine Independent, tasted June 2024.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e95 points - Robert Parker The Wine Advocate, tasted June 2018.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e93 points - Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider: \"Medium bodied, lighter style of d'Yquem, with a lean to the orange, apricot, tangerine side...\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExpect the classic richness of mature Sauternes: marmalade, apricot, honey, dried citrus peel, saffron and roasted nuts, balanced by fine acidity and the layered sweetness that makes Yquem so distinctive. The half-bottle format offers a beautiful way to enjoy a mature, collectible sweet Bordeaux without opening a full bottle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eFood Pairing\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePair with blue cheese, duck liver crème brulée, Bakewell tart with clotted cream, pancakes or Dolcelatte. It can also be enjoyed as a contemplative dessert wine on its own.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eCellaring Potential\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDrinking window: 2003-2053. This bottle is mature now, with further life ahead for well-stored examples.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eAbout Chateau d'Yquem\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChateau d'Yquem is the benchmark estate of Sauternes and the only property classified as Premier Cru Superieur in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification. Its wines are made through highly selective harvesting of botrytised grapes, often requiring multiple passes through the vineyard to capture fruit at the ideal point of concentration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eProducer: Chateau d'Yquem\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eVintage: 1998\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eRegion: Sauternes, Bordeaux\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eCountry: France\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eGrape Variety: Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eWine Style: Dessert Wine - Lush and Balanced\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eClassification: Premier Cru Superieur\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eAlcohol: 13.5%\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eResidual Sugar: 130 g\/L\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eOak: New French oak\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eAgeing: 36 months\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eBottle Size: 375ml Half Bottle\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"China Duty Free","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52326332858670,"sku":"9581736898","price":999.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/6596\/6894\/files\/1998_Chateau_dYquem_Sauternes_375ml.jpg?v=1784530664","url":"https:\/\/www.jcfinewines.au\/products\/1998-chateau-dyquem-375ml-half-bottle","provider":"JC FINE WINES","version":"1.0","type":"link"}