Details
Château d'Yquem--Vintage 1847
Sauternes, Pre-Classification
C O N D I T I O N
"Formerly, it was thought that the great 1847 vintage was the first made from wine consciously allowed to be affected by botrytis. There is no firm evidence for this assumption; and it was certainly not the start of sweet sauternes, as Yquem's renown for its sweet wines goes back to the 18th century, supported by recent tastings of Yquem of the mid to late 18th century and,ÿspecifically, of the 1784 and 1787 vintages, all of which have been analysed for sugar content.
However, the extraordinary richness, depth and quality of the 1847 was renowned and its reputation crowned, almost literally, by the Grand Duke Constantine, brother of the Tsar of all the Russians, who paid, in gold francs, four times the already high price for a tonneau of the 1847. Yquem's fame, already high, spread throughout the courts of Europe.
A bottle was opened in the presence of the Comte du Lur-Saluces at the château in September 1986. Tasting note: fairly deep appearance in the pale green bottle, in decanter a lively, incredible, vanilla at first, then ripe peaches, apricots and milk chocolate; still intensely sweet, full-bodied, considerable extract, very concentrated, great length. Perhaps the most magnificent wine ever tasted." JMB
1 half-bottle per lot
Sauternes, Pre-Classification
C O N D I T I O N
"Formerly, it was thought that the great 1847 vintage was the first made from wine consciously allowed to be affected by botrytis. There is no firm evidence for this assumption; and it was certainly not the start of sweet sauternes, as Yquem's renown for its sweet wines goes back to the 18th century, supported by recent tastings of Yquem of the mid to late 18th century and,ÿspecifically, of the 1784 and 1787 vintages, all of which have been analysed for sugar content.
However, the extraordinary richness, depth and quality of the 1847 was renowned and its reputation crowned, almost literally, by the Grand Duke Constantine, brother of the Tsar of all the Russians, who paid, in gold francs, four times the already high price for a tonneau of the 1847. Yquem's fame, already high, spread throughout the courts of Europe.
A bottle was opened in the presence of the Comte du Lur-Saluces at the château in September 1986. Tasting note: fairly deep appearance in the pale green bottle, in decanter a lively, incredible, vanilla at first, then ripe peaches, apricots and milk chocolate; still intensely sweet, full-bodied, considerable extract, very concentrated, great length. Perhaps the most magnificent wine ever tasted." JMB
1 half-bottle per lot