2003 Chateau d'Yquem Sauternes Blend

Sauternes Blend - 375ML
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REVIEWS

JS 98 JL 97 WS 97 WA 96 TWI 96 VN 93
JS 98

jamessuckling.com, May 2012

A massive Yquem, this has a dense palate that is almost chewy like a red. Full and very sweet, with notes of dried apricot, pineapple, and papaya on the palate. Long, with a vanilla-coconut tart finish. What a wine...
JL 97

TheWineCellarInsider.com, December 2023

The complex nose shoots from the glass with buttered apricots, pineapple, ginger, saffron, candied orange, vanilla, and caramel. The palate is equal to the perfume with its rich, creamy, layered, opulent display of...
WS 97

Wine Spectator, January 2014

Squarely on the tropical side of the spectrum, with mango, papaya and pineapple fruit laced with a marmalade note. Long and very caressing through the finish, but never heady or overpowering, as orange pâte de fruit...
WA 96

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, August 2019

The average June temperature for 2003 was the warmest ever recorded at Yquem since they installed their first weather station in 1896. And things were only just starting to heat up. This notoriously hot vintage...
TWI 96

The Wine Independent, September 2023

A blend of 70% Semillon and 30% Sauvignon Blanc, with 147 grams per liter of residual sugar, the 2003 Yquem is medium gold-colored. It has a tantalizing nose of baked apricots, pear tart, and ginger cake, leading to wafts...
VN 93

Vinous, April 2022

The 2003 Yquem was a homogenous harvest picked over a single trie between 17 and 26 September. It has a rich and opulent nose, crème brûlée, marmalade and a melted candle wax aroma. The palate has more to offer than the...

WINE DETAILS

Color & Type Dessert
Varietal Sauternes Blend
Country France
Region Bordeaux
Sub-region Sauternes
Vintage 2003
Size 375ML

Sauternes is the best and most sought-after region for dessert wine in Bordeaux, perhaps in all of France. Chateau d’Yquem is the most celebrated of all Sauternes producers.

The history of d’Yquem can be traced back to 1593, when local nobleman Jacques Sauvage became the feudal overseer of the property. The area was already home to late-harvest wines even then, and the Sauvage family moved things forward, creating “modern” vineyards—and the famous chateau—on the unique hill that contributes to d’Yquem’s outstanding quality. In 1711, the Sauvage family became full owners of the property and managed to retain it through the French Revolution.

The quality and reputation of Chateau d’Yquem wine improved as the vineyard was methodically expanded and enhanced. By the late 18th century, it was celebrated internationally and counted Thomas Jefferson among its staunch supporters. But the house continued to innovate and better its practices. The constructed a large, purpose-built cellar for maturation and aging in 1826 and, not long after, began harvesting in multiple passes to optimize fruit quality. This work was rewarded when Chateau d’Yquem was designated the only 1er Cru Superieur dessert wine in the famous 1855 classification of Bordeaux wines.

Chateau d’Yquem holds just under 300 acres of vineyard land on gravelly, well-drained soil, but only uses about 250 to make wine in any given year. The remainder is due to a program of continual replanting which ensures that producing vines are always in their prime. And the vineyard is planted only to Semillion (75%) and Sauvignon Blanc (25%), eschewing Muscadelle which is commonly used in the area but makes less distinguished wine.

Within an hour of harvest, the grapes of Chateau d’Yquem are in the winery and being pressed. Unlike most white wines, quality actually improves with multiple pressings as that extracts more sugar and flavor intensity. Chateau d’Yquem three or four times, with the initial effort yielding about 75% of the total volume.

Chateau d’Yquem does all its fermentation in new French oak barrels. This is unsual for Sauternes, but results in the most flavorful and pristine wine. Although there is variation from one vintage to the next, the typical Chateau d’Yquem wine finishes fermentation at 13.5% alcohol with 150 grams/liter of sugar.

All the barrels age for six to eight months after fermentation. At that point, under-performing barrels are set aside. The remaining barrels go to the aging cellar for 20 months, where they are topped up twice weekly to maintain freshness. For pure flavors and clarity, the wines are also racked 15 times and then fined before the final, blind tasting which determines the blend that will go into bottle.

Although not always very outgoing when young, Chateau d’Yquem is marked by fruit (apricot, mandarin, and occasionally tropical fruit) and oak (vanilla and toasty aromas). Older vintages, on the other hand, have an extraordinarily complex fragrance as soon as the bottle is opened, with hints of dried fruit (dried apricot, prune, stewed fruit, and marmalade), spice (cinnamon, saffron, and liquorice), and even flowers (lime blossom, etc.). The first impression of Chateau d'Yquem on the palate is always very silky, and often sumptuous. It then fills out, "coating the palate". This fine wine has a strong, but never overbearing character, with great elegance and poise. It always maintains a balance between sugar and acidity (sweetness and freshness). A touch of bitterness can also contribute to the overall harmony.

Introducing the 2003 Chateau d'Yquem, a remarkable Sauternes Blend from the renowned Bordeaux region of France. This highly sought-after white wine exudes elegance and sophistication, making it a true gem in the world of wine.

In the glass, the Chateau d'Yquem showcases a mesmerizing golden color, reminiscent of a radiant sunset. Its appearance alone is enough to captivate even the most discerning wine enthusiasts.

On the nose, this wine reveals a plethora of tropical aromas that transport you to a lush paradise. Notes of ripe mango, juicy papaya, and succulent pineapple entice the senses, creating an olfactory journey to an exotic fruit market. As you delve deeper, a subtle marmalade note emerges, adding a touch of sweetness and complexity.

The palate of the 2003 Chateau d'Yquem is nothing short of extraordinary. It boasts a dense and almost chewy texture, reminiscent of a red wine. The full-bodied nature of this wine is balanced beautifully by its remarkable sweetness. Dried apricot, pineapple, and papaya dance on the palate, delivering an explosion of flavors that lingers long after each sip. The finish is tantalizing, leaving a lingering impression of vanilla-coconut tart.

This vintage is a testament to the exceptional winemaking prowess of Chateau d'Yquem. Despite the heat of the 2003 vintage, this wine retains its energy and drive, showcasing the perfect harmony between fruit and acidity. It is a wine that can be enjoyed now or cellared for decades, evolving into an entirely different experience with time.

Renowned wine critics have praised the 2003 Chateau d'Yquem, with Wine Spectator awarding it an impressive score of 97 points. They describe it as long and caressing, with precise flavors of orange pâte de fruit, ginger, and singed almonds. James Suckling, another esteemed critic, rates it even higher, awarding it an exceptional 98 points. He hails it as a voluptuous, sexy, and luscious wine with a mesmerizing finish.

The 2003 Chateau d'Yquem is a true masterpiece that embodies the essence of Sauternes. With its impeccable balance, intense flavors, and unparalleled complexity, it is a wine that will leave a lasting impression on any wine lover fortunate enough to experience it.