Château d'Yquem 2004 Sauternes

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Tasting Notes: "Wonderful aromas of pineapple, apple and lemon, with loads of botrytis. Full-bodied, but very refined, superfresh and racy. Goes on and on. Fabulous. Incredible purity and brightness. Like a perfectly cut diamond." - Wine Spectator

Wine Spectator Rating: 95-100

The Winery: More than four centuries of history are summed up in the words "Chateau d'Yquem Lur Saluces" round on every bottle of Yquem. Wine lovers from around the world who come to visit the estate often ask about the secret of this great wine?

My initial, slightly provocative reply is that there can be no answer, that the truth is shrouded in mystery, and what are dealing with one of nature's enigmas. However, there are several logical explanations to offer. One of them is undoubtedly the winemaking passion shared by the family who owned the château for twelve generations.

Another is the unique terroir and carefully matched premium grape varieties. Furthermore, Chateau d'Yquem time-honored vineyard management and winemaking practices have an important role to play.Last, but not least, there is the amazing alchenty brought about by Botrytis cinerea, the remarkable fungus that, here in Sauternes and here alone, paradoxically transforms decay into gold.

Above and beyond these reasons, Chateau d'Yquem must actually be smelled, tasted and appreciated to understand its magic. In doing so, one realizes that this wine is and will always remain a mystery. Perhaps this is the best way of summing up the spirit of d'Yquem.

Winemaker's Notes: With six waves of picking spread over seven weeks and 25 working days, the 2004 vintage was complex, but well-rounded. It reflects the full gamut of Yquem’s terroir. Careful picking in the vineyard was followed by strict selection in the cellar after numerous blind tastings. The end result is that only the cream of the crop was deemed up to Yquem’s draconian quality criteria in 2004.

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