Château d'Yquem 1er Grand Cru Classé Supérieur en 1855 375ml 2021

Château d'Yquem 1er Grand Cru Classé Supérieur en 1855 is the most famous sweet wine in the world, offered here in a half bottle.

Alone among the wines of Sauternes, this estate was ranked Premier Cru Supérieur in 1855, a tier above every other property. It occupies the highest hill in the appellation, with a patchwork of gravel, clay and limestone soils. Sémillon makes up most of the vineyard, with Sauvignon Blanc adding freshness. Pickers go through the vines many times each harvest, taking only grapes fully shrivelled by noble rot, so yields are tiny. The juice is fermented in new French oak barrels and matured there before bottling, and in years when quality falls short no Yquem is released at all. The 2021 is described by the château as lively, fresh and finely balanced.

Lightly chilled, at 9 to 12 degrees, is ideal. Roast chicken, lobster, blue cheese and fruit-based desserts all work, as does a glass on its own. Yquem is among the longest-lived of all wines and can develop for fifty years or more.

*Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is accurate; however, variations can occur. If you are after a specific vintage, please contact us prior to ordering.