2011 Château d'Yquem

A warm, dry summer followed by ideal autumn conditions allowed for perfect noble rot development across Sauternes' highest plateau. Early morning fog from the Ciron and Garonne convergence provided essential moisture for botrytis formation. The wine shows profound concentration with honey, saffron, and candied citrus notes, while maintaining the château's characteristic weightless intensity.

Extreme summer heat in Sauternes drove the earliest harvest start in Yquem's history. The estate's clay-limestone soils and elevated position provided crucial balance through severe drought conditions. The wine reflects both concentration and freshness, showing intense tropical notes and the saline minerality distinctive to this historic plateau.

The 2008 growing season at Château d'Yquem saw a cool, damp summer followed by a favorable Indian summer. These conditions allowed for a late harvest and gradual development of noble rot. The estate's patience and meticulous selection process were crucial, resulting in a wine that combines richness with exceptional freshness and purity.

Summer warmth in Sauternes transitioned to ideal autumn conditions, bringing pure botrytis across Yquem's elevated slopes. The château's clay-limestone soils provided crucial balance through the warm growing season. The wine displays both richness and lift, showing intense apricot notes and the saline mineral core distinctive to this historic site.

Summer drought in Sauternes concentrated fruit before perfect autumn fog brought waves of noble rot to Yquem's plateau. The estate's limestone-rich soils maintained crucial acidity through the dry growing season. The wine captures both power and precision, showing concentrated citrus notes and the refined honey character that defines this noble terroir.

Cool summer conditions in Sauternes yielded to perfect October weather, allowing noble rot to develop slowly across Yquem's slopes. The château's elevated position and multiple picking passes captured the late season's pure botrytis development. The wine shows both delicacy and depth, displaying white peach notes and the crystalline minerality distinctive to this historic plateau.

Summer drought in Sauternes concentrated berries before autumn rains triggered perfect noble rot development across Yquem's plateau. The estate's limestone-clay soils maintained crucial acidity through the dry growing season. The wine shows both power and precision, displaying intense citrus notes and the crystalline minerality distinctive to this noble terroir.

Early summer warmth in Sauternes gave way to ideal September conditions, bringing waves of noble rot across Yquem's slopes. The château's clay-limestone soils provided essential balance through intense summer heat. The wine captures both richness and lift, showing concentrated tropical notes and the saline tension that defines this historic site.

At Château d'Yquem, the 2019 growing season began with a warm spring leading to early flowering, followed by ideal summer conditions that laid the groundwork for noble rot development. The estate's rigorous picking system, with up to 8 passes through the vineyard, capitalized on perfect botrytis conditions in autumn, with each berry selected at the precise moment of optimal noble rot concentration. The result was fruit with exceptional concentration balanced by brilliant acidity.

The 2020 growing season at Château d'Yquem presented unique challenges, with a warm, dry summer followed by a September that required careful management of botrytis development. The estate's experienced team navigated these conditions expertly, employing strict selection and multiple passes through the vineyards. The result is a wine that combines intensity with exceptional freshness and purity, reflecting both the vintage conditions and Yquem's unwavering commitment to quality.