Château d’Yquem 2011 — Sauternes, 15 L

Name: Château d’Yquem 2011 — Sauternes, 15 L
Brand: Château d'Yquem
SKU: BOR-YQUEM-2011-1500
Price: 9960.00 EUR
Availability: InStock

Château d'Yquem

2011 · 15 L · RP 94

€ 9 960,00

1 in stock

Château d'Yquem 2011 from Sauternes in a 15 L bottle: picked 6 September to 5 October in four passes, 144 g/l residual sugar, suggested drinking window 2023–2055.

Guaranteed authentic
15 L
Drink 2023-2055
Cellar-stored
Photo on request
Insured shipping

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SKU: BOR-YQUEM-2011-1500

Key facts

Vintage: 2011
Appellation: Sauternes
Classification: 1er Cru Classé
Grapes: Sauvignon blanc
Drinking window: 2023–2055
Vintage rating: 93/100 — early maturing, approachable
Format: 15 L
Producer: Château d'Yquem
Region: Bordeaux
Country: France
Type: White
Sweetness: Sweet

Sauternes 2011 on the Robert Parker Wine Advocate vintage chart

Category: Sauternes, 1er Cru Classé, Bordeaux, France, Sauvignon blanc, White, Wine

Château d’Yquem 2011: a 15 L bottle of sweet Sauternes

Picking for Château d’Yquem 2011 began on 6 September 2011, the fourth earliest start in the château’s history, and ended on 5 October after four tries. This is a 15 L bottle of the sweet white wine from Sauternes.

The reported residual sugar of the 2011 is 144 g/l. The Sauternes appellation requires every lot sold to contain at least 45 g/l of fermentable sugars.

Illustration: Sémillon vines in autumn mist, Sauternes

How the 2011 was picked: four tries

Yquem harvests by successive selective passes, called tries, and averages about six per harvest. In 2011 the pickers made four. The estate sits at the highest point of Sauternes, about 80 m above sea level, and its site is susceptible to Botrytis cinerea, the noble rot on which Sauternes depends.

Illustration: Sauternes barrel cellar, Sauternes

Yquem’s vineyard: Sémillon, Sauvignon and limestone subsoil

The vines are about 75 to 80% Sémillon and 20 to 25% Sauvignon blanc. Soils are clay and gravel at the surface with limestone below.

Illustration: Sauternes with foie gras and blue cheese, Sauternes

The estate behind the 2011

In the Bordeaux classification of 1855, Yquem was rated Premier Cru Supérieur, the only Sauternes to receive that rating. A vineyard has existed on the site since at least 1711. The Lur-Saluces family held the estate from 1785, and LVMH is the owner today; Pierre Lurton is President and CEO.

Not every year was released under the château’s name. Ten vintages were declassified, including 1992 and 2012.

Drinking window and the 2011 vintage in Sauternes

Our suggested drinking window is 2023 to 2055, so the wine has entered it. The Robert Parker Wine Advocate vintage chart rates Sauternes 2011 at 93 with the letter E, which the chart defines as early maturing and accessible.

Sauternes is one of the sweet-wine appellations of Bordeaux, in the Gironde on the left bank of the Garonne.

Questions buyers ask

Is Château d'Yquem a Premier Cru?

In the Bordeaux classification of 1855 Yquem was rated Premier Cru Supérieur, the only Sauternes to receive that rating.

When should Château d'Yquem 2011 be drunk?

Our suggested drinking window runs from 2023 to 2055, so the wine is already inside it.

Is 2011 a good vintage in Sauternes?

The Robert Parker Wine Advocate vintage chart rates Sauternes 2011 at 93 and gives it the letter E, meaning early maturing and accessible.

How sweet is Château d'Yquem 2011?

Residual sugar in the 2011 was reported as 144 g/l.

Which grapes go into Château d'Yquem?

Sémillon and Sauvignon blanc: about 75 to 80% and 20 to 25%.

Was Château d'Yquem made every year?

No. Ten vintages were not produced under the château's name, including 1992 and 2012.

This bottle

Kept at controlled temperature and humidity, lying down and in the dark until dispatch.
Insured, temperature-controlled shipping: if a bottle is stolen or broken in transit, we resend it or refund it through our insurer.
Older bottles may show cellar wear on the label or capsule; it does not affect the wine and is not a reason for return. Photos of this bottle on request.
Report any damaged or missing item within 24 hours of delivery — see the terms of sale.