Château d’Yquem Sauternes 1981 – A legend in glass

Château d’Yquem Sauternes 1981 is the epitome of luxury, perfection and timeless elegance. This is not just a dessert wine – it is an icon in the world of wine and an experience that belongs among the absolute classics. A wine for collectors, connoisseurs and wine lovers who want the ultimate in sweet Bordeaux.

The 1981 vintage from Château d’Yquem shows the house’s unique ability to create wines with intensity, balance and an almost infinite aging potential. The wine is made from Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc, grown on the unique parcels around the Ciron River. Here, the interplay of morning fog and sun creates ideal conditions for the development of noble rot, botrytis cinerea, which concentrates sugar, acidity and aroma in the grapes.

Harvesting is extremely selective with repeated passes through the vineyards, picking only the perfectly botrytized grapes. Vinification is equally uncompromising, with long fermentation and almost two years of aging in new French oak barrels. The result is a wine with exceptional depth, complexity and a structure that allows it to evolve beautifully over decades.

Tasting notes

Aroma: Extremely complex and intense with notes of ripe peach, juicy pineapple and exotic fruit, elegantly complemented by coconut, honey and dried citrus.

Flavor: Silky and concentrated with an impressive balance between sweetness and acidity. The palate offers tropical fruit, caramel, vanilla and fine spices like nutmeg and cinnamon.

Finish: Endlessly long, clean and nuanced with layer upon layer of fruit, spice and delicate cask character.

The history of the house

:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0} is more than a winery – it is a global symbol of quality and uncompromising winemaking. The property can trace its history back almost 400 years and achieved the unique status of Premier Cru Supérieur in the 1855 classification – an honor that no one else has been awarded.

The chateau has more than 150 parcels with varying soils, allowing for extreme precision in cultivation. Each vine is meticulously cared for with up to 50 treatments annually and the harvest is carried out over many weeks to select only the very best grapes. In special years, the dry wine Y d’Yquem is also produced.

Since 2022, the entire property has been certified organic (AB/Eurofeuille), emphasizing the house’s focus on sustainability without compromising on quality. Château d’Yquem 1981 is the culmination of tradition, craftsmanship and the magic of nature – a wine for life’s most meaningful moments.

• Type: Dessert wine
• Region: Sauternes, Bordeaux
• Vintage: 1981
• Grapes: Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc
• Alcohol: 13%alcohol
• Content: 75 cl
• Contains: Sulfites