Overview
One of the world's most prestigious sweet wines, Château d'Yquem stands alone as the only estate awarded Premier Cru Supérieur status in the historic 1855 Bordeaux Classification. The exceptional 2020 vintage combines remarkable concentration with freshness and elegance, revealing layers of honeyed stone fruit, candied citrus, tropical fruit and delicate floral complexity. Acclaimed with 98 points from Jeff Leve and multiple 97-point ratings, this outstanding Sauternes offers extraordinary balance, finesse and decades of ageing potential.
Vintage
The 2020 growing season was marked by a warm, wet spring followed by a hot, dry summer. Rainfall in late September encouraged the development of noble rot (Botrytis cinerea), while favourable conditions in October allowed the grapes to achieve exceptional concentration. Harvesting was carried out selectively over five successive passes between September and October, producing a wine of remarkable aromatic intensity, richness and vibrant acidity.
Vineyard & Winemaking
Located in Sauternes, Bordeaux, Château d'Yquem benefits from a unique combination of gravelly soils, favourable vineyard exposure and the autumn mists essential for the development of noble rot. The 2020 vintage is composed of 75% Sémillon and 25% Sauvignon Blanc, with grapes meticulously selected and hand-harvested at optimal ripeness.
Fermentation takes place in oak barrels, followed by maturation in French oak. This careful approach produces the estate's signature combination of luscious sweetness, aromatic complexity and exceptional ageing potential. The finished wine contains approximately 135 g/L of residual sugar, balanced by refreshing acidity.
Awards
3 Stars & Coup de Cœur — Le Guide Hachette des Vins 2024
Recognised as an exceptional wine and awarded the prestigious Coup de Cœur distinction.
Critic Reviews
98/100 — Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
“On the fresh, bright vibrant, racy side of the style range”
Tasted March 2023
97/100 — Wine Enthusiast
“It is powerful, rich, balancing acidity and sweetness.”
Tasted April 2024
97/100 — The Wine Independent
Tasted March 2023
97/100 — Falstaff
“Full-bodied, elegant, ripe pineapple, yellow peach”
Tasted January 2023
96/100 — Decanter
“A masterclass in purity and delicacy for this 2020 vintage”
Tasted March 2023
95/100 — Wine Spectator
Tasted October 2023
Producer
Château d'Yquem is the undisputed benchmark of Sauternes and one of Bordeaux's most celebrated estates. With a winemaking heritage dating back centuries, the château achieved its unique Premier Cru Supérieur classification in 1855, a distinction no other Sauternes estate received. Its exceptional terroir, rigorous vineyard selection and meticulous winemaking have established Yquem as one of the world's most collectible and age-worthy sweet wines. The estate is part of the LVMH group.
Specifications
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Vintage: 2020
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Producer: Château d'Yquem
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Country: France
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Region: Bordeaux, Sauternes
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Classification: Premier Cru Supérieur, 1855 Classification
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Grape Varieties: 75% Sémillon, 25% Sauvignon Blanc
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Wine Style: Sweet White Dessert Wine
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Sweetness: Sweet
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Alcohol: 14%
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Residual Sugar: Approximately 135 g/L
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Harvest: Hand Harvested, Multiple Selective Passes
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Production Attributes: Noble Rot (Botrytis Cinerea)
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Fermentation: Barrel Fermented
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Maturation: French Oak Barrels
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Ownership: LVMH
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Drinking Window: 2023–2070 (Decanter)
