Château d’Yquem – Château d’Yquem 1997 – Bordeaux France

Château d’Yquem 1997 is a mature Sauternes from Bordeaux’s uniquely classified Premier Cru Supérieur estate, combining concentrated sweetness with the acidity and structure that allow great Yquem to age for decades.

🍷 At a Glance

• Grape: Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc
• Region: Sauternes, Bordeaux, France
• Vintage: 1997
• Aging: 36 months in new French oak
• Alcohol: 13–13.9%
• Serving Temp: 10–12°C
• Style: Sweet white wine

👃 Tasting Notes

Rich and mature, with layers of honeyed citrus, apricot, peach, caramel, spice and botrytis complexity. The palate is concentrated and unctuous but balanced by bright acidity, finishing long and lifted.

❤️ Why We Love It

• From the only Sauternes estate classified Premier Cru Supérieur in 1855
• The 1997 harvest stretched from early September into November, requiring seven selective passes through the vineyard
• A mature half-bottle format that makes a legendary sweet wine easier to open for a smaller occasion

🍽️ Food Pairing

• Foie gras or pâté
• Blue cheese
• Fruit-based or caramel desserts

👤 Who This Wine Is For

✓ Collectors who want mature Château d’Yquem without opening a full bottle
✓ Sweet-wine drinkers who value richness balanced by acidity and age-derived complexity

⭐ Scores

96 points — Robert Parker; 95 points — Wine Spectator; 18/20 — Jancis Robinson.

📦 Production

Exact 1997 production was not confirmed in the sources reviewed.