2017 Château Yquem & 2018 Ygrec

The cold Spring of 2017 was problematic for a number of Sauternes producers but fortunately Yquem escaped the worse of it and only a handful of vines on the fringe were frosted. As Spring turned to Summer, the Château soon realised how lucky they were. The growing conditions were excellent for the sweet wines of Sauternes. Warm dry days and cool nights throughout the Summer were followed by rain at the end of August and early September promoting the onset of botrytis.

The 2017 Yquem is immediately impressive. Concentrated white stone and orange fruit is harnessed by energetic acidity. The botrytis is balanced, giving wonderful flavours of sweet marmalade and ginger. This is a mighty fine Yquem that will go the distance.

2018 was described by the Château as ‘tropical’ conditions. In July a violent hailstorm damaged much of the Sauvignon grapes reducing production. The remaining weather was very warm, and harvest was completed before the end of August. As a result, the 2018 Ygrec is weighty, voluptuous and exotic in style but it's more balanced than most white Bordeaux from this vintage.