Château D'Yquem, 1989

Romain-Bertrand de Lur-Saluces, Françoise-Joséphine's grandson, took his role as manager of Yquem very much to heart, rather than simply taking possession of the family estate, which had become mythical by this time.

In 1855, in posthumous recognition of the tremendous accomplishments of the lady of Yquem, the estate was designated the one and only premier cru supérieur in the famous classification made at the request of Emperor Napoléon III. Childless and anxious to protect the future of Château d’Yquem, Bertrand de Lur-Saluces took measures in anticipation of his demise.

In 1966, he designated one of his brother Amédée's sons, Alexandre de Lur-Saluces, to take over managing the estate. Neal's recent article certainly does not hold back on the effusive positivity and lengthy reasoning as to why the estate ‘consistently trumps contenders to the throne’, ultimately concluding that ‘Yquem is unbeatable’ within Sauternes, and is to sweet wine what Shakespeare is to literature, Houdini to magic or Pelé to football. The 1989 that scores a near-perfect 99 points, is a feat that can only be claimed by three other vintages on Vinous, along with two scores of 100 points. Martin notes that the 1989 ‘explodes from the glass’, and describes the wine as ‘a livewire Yquem with enormous depth and intensity’.

This is available by the bottle, individually wrapped in straw and in perfect condition, having been stored professionally – pictures are available on request. The opportunity to taste a mature Yquem from one of the finest vintages in history would be enough to make most wine lovers weak at the knees, but to get your hands on an entire bottle!?