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.


**2008 Chateau d'Yquem [Sauternes Blend] 750**

- **Varietal**: Sauternes Blend
- **Vintage**: 2008
- **Country**: France
- **Region**: Bordeaux
- **Sub-region**: Sauternes
- **Producer**: Chateau d'Yquem
- **Color**: White
- **Type**: White
- **Closure**: Cork
- **Alcohol percent**: 13.5%

The 2008 Chateau d'Yquem is a white wine from the renowned Sauternes region in Bordeaux, France. This wine is a blend of 90% Semillon and 10% Sauvignon Blanc, featuring 139 grams of residual sugar per liter and a pH of 3.7. The vintage is noted for its balance and potential for aging.

**Wine Spectator** awarded this wine a score of 94, highlighting its "beautiful lemon cream chamomile and fried pineapple notes with a refreshing almost floral edge running along." The review described the finish as having "admirable length" and noted the presence of "creamy coconut and green plum notes." Wine Spectator suggests a drinking window extending through 2035, indicating the wine's longevity.

**Wine Enthusiast** gave the 2008 Chateau d'Yquem an impressive score of 98, calling it "impressively balanced, with the fruit rich, intense with a golden glow." The review emphasized the wine's acidity and freshness, which provide a "delicious lift to the core of dry, concentrated botrytis." Wine Enthusiast considered this vintage a great candidate for long-term aging, reflecting its potential to develop further complexity over time.

**Robert Parker's Wine Advocate** also rated this wine highly with a score of 94. The review by Yohan Castaing praised the wine's "complex, elegant bouquet" with aromas including "pineapple, exotic fruits, quince and orchard fruits." The palate was described as "balanced and medium to full-bodied" with a "seamless and layered texture and a penetrating, fresh and delicate finish." The review noted the wine's potential to improve in the cellar over the next decade.

**The Wine Independent** rated the wine at 97, with Lisa Perrotti-Brown describing it as "pale to medium gold in color." The wine has "vivacious notes of lemon marmalade, quince paste, and kiwi fruit," with additional suggestions of "lemongrass, wet slate, almond croissant, and fallen leaves." The palate is "completely coated with citrus and tropical fruit layers," supported by "fantastic tension and a satiny texture," and finishing "long and electric."

In summary, the 2008 Chateau d'Yquem is a highly acclaimed Sauternes blend known for its balance, richness, and potential for aging. It offers a complex bouquet and a layered palate that promises to evolve beautifully over time.