Bordeaux
Timed Online Auction, 28 March - 15 April 2024
Bordeaux
About the SessionA carefully curated selection of highly sought-after collectables of Bordeaux and Bordeaux-style SA wines.
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About this Item
Château d`Yquem, often described as the greatest sweet wine in the world and the only Sauternes First Growth of Bordeaux. Few wines in the world have produced consistently noble quality for more than 4 centuries.
Established in 1593, the property consists of a 110-hectare vineyard planted with 80% Semillon and 20% Sauvignon Blanc. The wines are created from botrytized fruit that is picked by hand in several passes ‘tiers’ by up to 150 harvesters. Château d'Yquem is the product of meticulous work in the vineyard, along with the estate’s exceptional terroir, and centuries of inherited knowledge since 1593, it has gained the reputation of the world’s finest sweet wine.
In the Bordeaux Classification of 1855, Château d'Yquem was given the unique and unsurpassable rank of Premier Cru Supérieur, ahead of all other Sauternes, indicating its perceived superiority and ability to command by far the highest prices. The wines of Château d'Yquem are characterised by their complexity, concentration and longevity. In a good year, a bottle will only begin to show its qualities after a decade or two of cellaring and with proper care, will keep for a century or more, gradually adding layers of complexity.
Producer Vintage Notes: 'An year with extremely variable weather: warm from January to March, with above average precipitation in July, followed by very dry weather starting in August, and finishing with cold temperatures on through to December. Lasting from 18/8 to 4/11, the harvest was made complicated by a lack of rain (just 30 mm), and thus botrytis. The berries were overripe rather than botrytised. 63 mm of rain then fell, and noble rote finally spread, even though sugar levels were not always up to scratch. The 36 vintage will be remembered for the interminable harvest.'
Michael Egan Authentication code - 410
This bottle has been recorked by Château d'Yquem.
Critics Ratings
'Dark amber. Bitter-marmalade nose. Not quite the life or fruit of the 1937. Slightly drying out compared with the 1937. If served it in isolation, I would be really thrilled. Very long.' - Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 18.5/20 (Nov 2022)
'In this above-average vintage in Sauternes, Yquem's '36 remains quite lovely--but with some volatile acidity. Of medium body, it shows a distinct marmalade character. Turns a bit bitter on the finish, but it's a pleasant wine to drink now.' - Wine Spectator (May 1999)
Provenance
The Coats Family Cellar is arguably the most prestigious fine wine collection ever offered in South Africa. It contains an expansive collection of the worlds finest, most sought-after wines, spanning over 150 years. Collected over many decades, the cellar was imported from Ireland to South Africa via refrigerated container. Each bottle within the Coats Family Cellar was authenticated by Michael Egan in August 2022 and given an ID number for tracking.
Michael Egan is a world-expert in fine and rare wines with more than thirty five years of experience. He was the principal expert for the plaintiff in the two major wine counterfeiting trials in Koch v. Eric Greenberg and United States v. Rudy Kurniawan, both of which occurred in 2013.
Along with Michael Egan, the Strauss & Co Fine Wine team have tasted extensively through the cellar and are confident of the wine storage and hence quality. The entire collection is currently stored at Wine Cellar.
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