2007 Chateau d'Yquem Sauternes Blend

Sauternes Blend - 750ML
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REVIEWS

WA 98 TWI 98 JL 97 JA 96 WS 96 DC 95 JR 95
WA 98

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, October 2023

The 2007 d'Yquem is considered a perfect example of the Sauternes "miracle." Despite a chaotic spring and cool summer, the botrytis transformed the grapes, giving them ideal concentration throughout October. With 137...
TWI 98

The Wine Independent, September 2023

A blend of 80% Semillon and 20% Sauvignon Blanc, with 137 grams per liter of residual sugar, the 2007 Yquem has a pale to medium gold color. It slips sensuously from the glass with open-knit scents of apricot preserves...
JL 97

TheWineCellarInsider.com, July 2018

Even in its infancy, it is impossible not to fall in love with this golden beauty. Lush, concentrated, sweet, opulent, fresh and loaded with all the rich, honeyed pineapples, tropical fruits, apricots and vanilla you need.
JA 96

janeanson.com, July 2021

Soft gold in colour, packed full of generous stone fruit, nectarine and white peach, honeysuckle, white truffle, saffron-laced lemon curd, bitter orange peel, all wrapped up in the satiny texture that makes drinking Yquem...
WS 96

Wine Spectator, January 2014

Intense, with a wide range of maple, hazelnut-singed piecrust and apple crumble notes, all offset beautifully by a taut orange zest accent that imparts tension and length to balance the broad, rich core. Ends with a...
DC 95

Decanter,

Medium gold, already quite evolved. Heady stone fruits and honey on the nose, with generous fruit. Very sweet and succulent but there's fine acidity to balance the palate, which has beguiling sweetness. Very long, with a...
JR 95

Jancis Robinson's Purple Pages, November 2011

Mid bronzy gold. Lovely lift and complexity. Fantastic! Best wine tasted so far (all red otherwise). Great nuance and herbs and so sweet but all kept in great barley-sugar corset with leaves and refreshment on the end...

WINE DETAILS

Color & Type Dessert
Varietal Sauternes Blend
Country France
Region Bordeaux
Sub-region Sauternes
Vintage 2007
Size 750ML
Percent alcohol 14%
Closure Cork

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.

The 2007 Chateau d'Yquem is a remarkable Sauternes Blend from the Bordeaux region in France. This exquisite white wine is a true masterpiece, showcasing the expertise and craftsmanship of the renowned Chateau d'Yquem. With its pale to medium gold color, this wine is visually stunning, enticing the senses from the very first glance.

On the nose, the 2007 d'Yquem offers a powerful and intoxicating bouquet of tropical fruits, such as dried mangoes and pineapple paste. These fruity aromas are beautifully accented by notes of acacia honey, toasted almonds, and a hint of woodsmoke. Subtle hints of chalk dust, kettle corn, and lime blossom add further complexity to the aromatic profile, creating a sensory experience like no other.

Upon tasting, this vintage reveals its true character. It is a wine that shape-shifts into what appears to be a drier style, but is actually a result of its uber-racy backbone of freshness. The palate is layered with mineral-inspired flavors, showcasing the unique terroir of the Sauternes region. The wine finishes with a regal, satin-textured savoriness that lingers on the palate, leaving a lasting impression.

Critics have praised the 2007 Chateau d'Yquem for its exceptional quality. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded it a score of 98+ points, highlighting its power, freshness, and layered flavors. Wine Spectator also awarded it a score of 96 points, describing it as intense and beautifully balanced.

This wine is a true gem that can be enjoyed now, but also has incredible aging potential. It is predicted to cellar not just for decades, but for generations to come. With an alcohol percentage of 14.0% and 137 grams per liter of residual sugar, this wine strikes the perfect balance between sweetness and acidity.

The 2007 Chateau d'Yquem is a wine that demands attention and respect. It is a testament to the artistry and dedication of the Chateau d'Yquem winemaking team. Whether enjoyed on its own or paired with a decadent dessert, this wine is sure to elevate any occasion and create a memorable tasting experience.