When it comes to luxury French wine, Château d'Yquem is in a league of its own. Once owned by the King of England in the Middle Ages and now part of LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton)—the world’s leading luxury group—d'Yquem embodies the same sophistication, exclusivity, and timeless appeal that define iconic LVMH brands.
The history of Château d'Yquem
Château d'Yquem’s story dates back to the Middle Ages (500-1500 A.D.). While much of Europe was in the so-called "Dark Ages," d'Yquem was already building a legendary reputation. It was once owned by the King of England when Aquitaine (including Bordeaux) was under British control. But things took a turn in 1593 when Jacques de Sauvage acquired the estate from the French monarchy, setting the stage for its rise to fame. In the 19th Century (think 1800-1900s) it became a favourite of Queen Victoria and Thomas Jefferson, the 3rd President of the U.S, and for good reason. In 1855 Château d'Yquem was the only wine to be ranked as a Premier Cru Supérieur (Superior “First Growth”) in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification—a title it still exclusively holds today.
Fast forward to 1999, when Château d'Yquem entered a new era under the ownership of LVMH, the luxury giant behind Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, and Dom Pérignon. With LVMH’s backing, d'Yquem transformed from an historic estate into a global status symbol, much like a Louis Vuitton handbag or a bottle of Dom Pérignon Champagne.
The magic of noble rot
What truly sets Château d'Yquem apart, though, is the magic of “noble rot” (Botrytis cinerea). Yes, rot—not usually associated with luxury—but in this case, it’s the key to d'Yquem’s signature sweet wines. Located in Sauternes, a small subregion of Bordeaux, Château d'Yquem benefits from a unique climate: misty mornings and sunny afternoons, perfect for noble rot to thrive. The fungus dehydrates the grapes, concentrating their sugars and creating the rich, complex sweetness that d'Yquem is known for.
Caption: Sourced from Château d’Yquem —Grapes affected by noble rot
Château d'Yquem wines
Château d'Yquem doesn’t make wine every year. If conditions aren’t ideal, they’ll skip production to maintain their legendary quality. This selectivity adds to the scarcity—and the allure. When the stars align, though, they produce something extraordinary.
Standout vintages include:
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1921: A legendary vintage, often considered one of the greatest in d'Yquem’s history.
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2001: A modern masterpiece, lauded for its perfect balance of sweetness, acidity, and complexity. The 2001 Château d'Yquem received a perfect 100-point score from multiple wine critics and remains one of the estate’s best vintages in recent decades.
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2009: Known for its intense concentration and long-ageing potential, this vintage is a collector’s favourite.
Château d'Yquem also produces a rare dry white wine called 'Y' (Ygrec), made in select vintages. Crafted from Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon before noble rot sets in, it's a fresh contrast to their sweet Sauternes.
One of the most exciting things about Château d'Yquem is its exceptional aging potential. Thanks to its high sugar content and balanced acidity, it evolves beautifully over time. Young d'Yquem bursts with tropical fruits, apricots, and honey, while older bottles develop layers of caramel, saffron, and dried fruit.
For collectors, this means d'Yquem can be enjoyed now or held for decades—its value (both in your glass and pocket) only increases with age. Bottles over 50 years old can sell for multiples of their original price.
Caption: Sourced from TradingGrapes Founders —Captured during a vertical tasting at Château d’Yquem
Why collectors love Château d'Yquem
Just as LVMH brands command a premium, Château d'Yquem is a blue-chip asset in the wine world. Its exclusivity, rarity, and unparalleled quality ensure that d'Yquem consistently fetches top dollar at auctions. Bottles can reach five- and six-figure sums depending on the vintage.
In 2011, a bottle of 1811 Château d'Yquem sold for £75,000 ($144,000), making it the most expensive white wine ever sold.
Caption: Sourced from Decanter—A bottle of 1811 Château d'Yquem
The combination of LVMH’s luxury brand power and Château d'Yquem’s historic reputation make it a must-have for serious collectors. And with growing demand in emerging markets like Asia, the investment potential of d'Yquem continues to rise.
Château d'Yquem regularly ranks among the top-performing wines on the Liv-ex Fine Wine Index, and the Sauternes 50 Index outperformed the Bordeaux 500 Index over the past two years. 
Caption: Sourced from Liv-Ex—The Sauterne 50 Index showing performance of top performing Sauternes from Jan 2017—Jan 2022
Summary
Château d'Yquem is more than just a wine—it’s the ultimate symbol of luxury, craftsmanship, and timeless appeal. As part of the LVMH family, d'Yquem enjoys the same global prestige as the finest luxury brands. Whether you’re savouring a young vintage or holding onto a rare 1920s bottle, d'Yquem is liquid gold—it’s a piece of valuable history both in your glass and pocket.
