Wines Sauternes Château Yquem - 2003

Château d’Yquem 2003 is a legendary sweet white wine from the esteemed Sauternes appellation in Bordeaux, France. This cuvée is crafted predominantly from Sémillon, complemented by Sauvignon Blanc. The unique microclimate of Yquem’s vineyards, with their morning mists and afternoon sun, encourages noble rot (Botrytis cinerea), resulting in grapes of remarkable concentration and complexity. The 2003 vintage faced an exceptionally hot summer, leading to a harvest of intensely ripe grapes with high sugar levels and a pronounced opulence. Vinification involves meticulous hand-picking—often with several passes through the vineyard—followed by gentle pressing and fermentation in new oak barrels, and then extended maturation in barrel to marry freshness and richness.

Sauternes is located in the southern part of Bordeaux and is famous worldwide for its botrytised sweet wines. The region’s soils are a patchwork of gravel, clay, and sand resting on limestone, providing superb drainage and a nuanced mineral backbone to the wines. The local climate, strongly influenced by the nearby Ciron and Garonne rivers, creates the alternating humidity and warmth necessary for noble rot to thrive. Château d’Yquem stands at the pinnacle of the appellation, renowned for its historical significance and unmatched quality since its classification as Premier Cru Supérieur in 1855.

Food pairings for Château d’Yquem 2003 should honour its luxury and complexity. Classic matches include foie gras, where the wine’s lush sweetness and vibrant acidity cut through the richness of the dish, or a blue cheese such as Roquefort, creating a harmonious interplay of salty, savoury, and sweet. For a more traditional Bordeaux pairing, consider roast poultry with apricot glaze or a lobster with saffron cream. The wine also shines with desserts based on stone fruits or caramel, and for a purist option, simply savour with a handful of roasted nuts.

Serve Château d’Yquem 2003 slightly chilled at 10-12°C to bring out its layered aromas of honeyed apricot, candied citrus, and subtle spice. Use fine crystal glasses with a wide bowl to appreciate its aromatic depth. Decanting is rarely necessary for young to mid-age Sauternes, but aeration in the glass will reveal further complexity as it warms gently. This vintage has excellent ageing potential—enjoy now for its lush fruit, or cellar further for enhanced nuances.