Vertical of Château d'Yquem 1947-2014

Owner: Pierre Lurton

Area: 133 ha

Grape: 80 % sémillon and 20 % sauvignon

Planting density: 6700 vines/ha

Average yield: 9 hl/ha

Breeding: Fermentation of 2 to 6 weeks in barrels of new oak cask; breeding 3 years still in barrel, 15 sub-runs followed by a light ullage.

For greatest vintages, have to wait for 50 or 100 years.

1959 (MB : 5/5): «A lovely amber gold. Having a hint of orange in the color which accompanied highish acidity; deep, rich, magnificent bouquet, honeyed and fragrant; still very sweet, full-bodied, fat, concentrated wine.»

1967 (RP : 96): «It simply is near perfection. In a medium dark golden amber, with an intense bouquet of vanilla, spices, honey, ripe pineapple and coconut, this smooth and very mature wine unfolds in the mouth, in stages, opulent fruit and sweet, well-balanced as well as a final massive and powerful.
Drink until 2035.»

1975 (RP : 99): «The 1975 may well emerge as the greatest Château d'Yquem of modern times. It displays a fabulous concentration and perfect balance, and deploys the legendary flavors of vanilla oak, tropical fruit, pineapple, honeyed peach and typical toasted almonds raw. This is an amazingly powerful and fine wine , with an unimaginable lengh for anyone has not experienced it.
This real monument could be renote upward (and to the perfection) within 10 years.
Drink between 2005 and 2060.»

1988 (RP : 99): «Its ample but retained bouquet reveals with gentleness and strength both subtle and intense notes of coconut, orange marmalade, burnt cream, peach and corn. The taste is expressed with a growing scale, developing complexity and great power .
Relatively aerial despite his body, it is simply stunning and stands out as the one of the most spectacular examples of this wine.
Drink between 2010 and 2070.»

1997 (RP : 96): «This stunning wine is probably the most successful of the property since 1990. With a light golden yellow, it got fabulous fragrances of caramel, honeysuckle, peach, apricot and smoky oak. Full-bodied and smooth, supported with an underlying acidity, it stands out as a great vintage for Yquem.
Drink now through 2055.»

2001 (RP : 100): «This wine is a light golden yellow, which is distinguished by its bouquet of honeysuckle, peach and pineapple, is simply irresistible. Full-bodied, wonderfully soft and elegant, it is pure, balanced and accurate, with a long finish of over a minute.
2001 stands out as a legend in perspective.
Drink between 2012 and 2075.»