2006 Chateau d'Yquem Sauternes Blend

Sauternes Blend - 750ML
Reg: $495.00
$369.00
In Stock: 0 btls
Ships Immediately
Pre-Arrival: 7 btls
ETA: Dec. 2024
Most orders placed M-F by 3pm (PT) ship same day.
Orders placed on a weekend or holiday will ship the next business day.
Shipping Info

Free storage available
Wine Storage

REVIEWS

WA 98 NM 97 JL 96 TWI 96 WE 96 WS 96 VN 94
WA 98

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, October 2023

A monumental bottle of Sauternes despite a moderate level of residual sugar (122 grams per liter), the 2006 d'Yquem displays a singular, distinctive and elegant bouquet with aromas of thyme, sage, curry, baked pineapple...
NM 97

Neal Martin's Wine Journal, January 2010

Tasted blind at Southwold ’06 Bordeaux tasting. This is tightly coiled on the nose, honey, a touch of ginger, barley sugar and a touch of brown sugar. Quite complex but it needs time. The palate is excellent with...
JL 96

TheWineCellarInsider.com, July 2022

Bright, sweet, juicy, fresh, and vibrant, the wine leans to the orange fruit side of the style range with a cornucopia of ripe, and overripe candied mangos, apricots, tangerine, and pineapple. There is a wealth of sweet...
TWI 96

The Wine Independent, September 2023

A blend of 80% Semillon and 20% Sauvignon Blanc, with 122 grams per liter of residual sugar, the 2006 Yquem is pale to medium gold in color. It is a little shy to begin, requiring a lot of swirling to bring out notes of...
WE 96

Wine Enthusiast, December 2009

(WE94-96 points) This is the rich wine of the vintage. With its intensen fruit, piles of spice, but excellent balance, this promises flavors of baked apples and intense dried fruits. The botrytis layer is discreet, a hint...
WS 96

Wine Spectator, January 2012

This has lovely flavors of apricot, dried tangerine, pineapple and papaya rushing along, supported by hazelnut, frangipane and coconut notes. Despite the depth, it's very, very pure, with filigreed acidity carrying the...
VN 94

Vinous, April 2022

The 2006 Yquem is initially tightly-wound on the nose before revealing enticing scents of mandarin, dried honey, quince and just a very slight adhesive scent. This is well-defined yet certainly demands more coaxing than...

WINE DETAILS

Color & Type Dessert
Varietal Sauternes Blend
Country France
Region Bordeaux
Sub-region Sauternes
Vintage 2006
Size 750ML
Percent alcohol 13.5%

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.

Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce you to the 2006 Chateau d'Yquem, a truly exceptional Sauternes Blend from the renowned Bordeaux region of France. This white wine is a true testament to the artistry and expertise of the esteemed Chateau d'Yquem estate.

As you gaze upon the bottle, you'll notice the elegant label that speaks of tradition and excellence. The wine itself is a beautiful golden hue, enticing you to explore its depths and complexities. With an alcohol percentage of 13.5, it exudes a graceful balance that is characteristic of the finest Sauternes wines.

Upon opening the bottle, you are greeted with a bouquet that is nothing short of enchanting. Aromas of apricot, dried tangerine, pineapple, and papaya dance together, accompanied by delicate notes of hazelnut, frangipane, and coconut. These scents create a symphony that is both tantalizing and alluring.

On the palate, the 2006 Chateau d'Yquem showcases its purity and precision. The flavors of lemon, pineapple, and coconut are tightly woven together, creating a harmonious blend that is both dense and light on its feet. The acidity is filigreed, providing a backbone that carries the flavors along the long, long finish.

This wine has received accolades from esteemed critics, further validating its exceptional quality. Wine Spectator awarded it a score of 96, praising its depth, purity, and filigreed acidity. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate bestowed a score of 98, describing it as a monumental bottle of Sauternes. Neal Martin's Wine Journal gave it a score of 97, hailing it as a regal Yquem.

The 2006 Chateau d'Yquem is a wine that deserves your attention and admiration. It is a wine that will evolve gracefully over time, rewarding those who have the patience to let it mature. Whether enjoyed now or cellared for future enjoyment, this wine is truly a masterpiece that embodies the essence of Sauternes winemaking.