Y de Yquem 1994
The 1994 Y de Yquem is a white wine from Château d’Yquem, presented under the Sauternes appellation in the Bordeaux vineyard. This Y cuvée brings together Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon, the two iconic white grape varieties of the blend. This 1994 vintage is signed by one of the historic estates of Sauternes.
Identité du vin
- Couleur
- White
- Pays
- France
- Région
- Bordeaux
- Appellation
- Sauternes
- Producteur / Domaine
- Château d'Yquem
- Cuvée
- Y
Cépage et assemblage
- Grape Variety
- Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon
Château d'Yquem
Château d’Yquem is an estate in Sauternes, in the Gironde, whose 113-hectare vineyard is planted with Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc. The château is the only estate classified as Premier Cru Supérieur in the 1855 classification. LVMH has been the majority shareholder since 1999.
- Owner
- LVMH (actionnaire majoritaire)
- Maître de chais
- Toni El Khawand
- Surface (ha)
- 113.00 ha
- Production (average bottles per vintage)
- 80 000 bouteilles/an
Histoire du domaine
The history of winemaking at Yquem has been documented since 1593, when Jacques Sauvage acquired the rights to the estate. In 1785, Françoise-Joséphine de Sauvage d’Yquem married Count Louis-Amédée de Lur-Saluces, bringing the estate into the Lur-Saluces family. Having been widowed in 1788, she managed the estate and played a part in its development for over six decades. In particular, she had the first wine cellar built in 1826 and developed the practice of ageing wine in barrels. In 1855, Château d’Yquem was awarded the unique distinction of Premier Cru Supérieur in the Sauternes and Barsac wine classification. The de Lur Saluces family subsequently retained ownership of the estate until LVMH became the majority shareholder in 1999. Pierre Lurton took over as managing director in 2004 and remains chairman of the château. Lorenzo Pasquini, who joined in 2020 as operations director, has become the estate’s managing director. Toni El Khawand, recruited in 2021, has held the position of cellar master since 2022.
Y
Y is the distinct dry white wine of Château d'Yquem, crafted from the same vines and terroirs as the great sweet wine. Its blend typically brings together a majority of Sauvignon blanc and a few lots of Sémillon. Produced irregularly and in small quantities starting in 1959, it has been crafted every year since a decision made in 2004.
- Cuvée creation year
- 1959
- Style of the cuvée
- A great dry white combining freshness, tension, and depth, generally dominated by Sauvignon blanc and complemented by Sémillon. Vinification and aging on the lees in barrels give it structure and aging potential, while retaining a lively and precise profile.
- Position within the range
- The estate's rare dry white, presented as "Yquem's other exception" alongside the great sweet wine.
Histoire de la cuvée
The first vintage of Y was born in 1959. Initially, it was crafted at the end of the harvest from the final bunches remaining on the vines, which were lightly touched by botrytis. Its profile evolved starting in 1996 toward greater freshness and tension. Since 2004, certain Sauvignon blanc plots have been specifically harvested at the start of the harvest to allow for annual production.
