Château d'Yquem 2018, Sauternes' legendary Premier Cru Supérieur.

Château d'Yquem 2018 is a blend of 85% Sémillon and 15% Sauvignon Blanc from the only Sauternes ranked Premier Cru Supérieur in 1855. The season ran near-tropical, with heavy rain, temperatures 2.7°C above average and a July 15 hailstorm on the south-facing plateau in front of the château. Dry weather from mid-August ripened the grapes evenly, but noble rot held off until rain in early October; pickers then worked grape by grape for 17 days from October 17, and yields fell about 40% below normal. The wine is matured in new oak barrels before release. Wine Advocate's Lisa Perrotti-Brown (98 points) writes that "the palate is an exercise in polish and poise," with a gorgeously creamy texture and sparkling freshness. She puts the drinking window at 2025 through 2055. 14.0% ABV, 750ml.