Yquem - Sauternes 2021
Yquem, a legendary wineGreat wines are not born just anywhere. A unique set of climatic and geological conditions combine to form a rare equilibrium. This is undoubtedly the case at Yquem, which epitomises all that is best about the singular winegrowing environment in Sauternes. The one and only to be ranked 1er Cru Supérieur in 1855. The magical and fragile microclimate gives birth to this exceptional wine which reveals its elegance and complexity during the tasting.
The 2021 vintage - a perfect harmony between freshness and delicacyClimatic conditions :
Spring 2021 put winegrowers to the test by confronting them with all the risks inherent in winegrowing: frost, hail and mildew. Thankfully, Yquem’s unique geographical location helped to preserve its great terroirs. From June to September, the grapes benefited from cool weather and moderate drought periods, bestowing the wines with superb acidity.
Then the Botrytis cinerea miracle came into play! Two rainy spells in mid-September and early October were conducive to the spread of noble rot throughout the vineyards, while a magnificent three-week window of fine weather marked by cool, dry and sunny conditions slowly concentrated the grapes.This optimum weather allowed the harvest to unfold incomplete serenity, in three successive passes, between 30 September and 30 October. The full aromatic profile of Botrytis cinerea was thus revealed in what can be described as an incredibly pure vintage.