in the final wine. Harvesting is carefully timed, and on average six tries through the vineyard are undertaken each year to ensure that only the botrytized grapes are selected. The yield averages nine hectolitres per hectare (2.5 acres), compared to the usual twelve to twenty hectolitres per hectare in Sauternes. The grapes are pressed three times and transferred to oak barrels for maturation over a period of about three years. On average, 65,000 bottles are produced each year. In a poor vintage, the entire crop is deemed unworthy of bearing the Château's name and sold anonymously; this happened nine times in the 20th century: 1910, 1915, 1930, 1951, 1952, 1964, 1972, 1974, and 1992 and in the 21st century one time: 2012. Vintages References Echikson, William (2004). Noble rot: A Bordeaux Wine Revolution. New York: W.W. Norton. Chapters 7, 11. Amon, Michael. Yquem oder Schlafende Konten, eDITION vortschritt, Wien 2011, Roman/Novel (german Language), überarbeitete Neuauflage. Michael Amon Footnotes External links Château d'Yquem official site Bordeaux wine producers LVMH brands Comité Colbert members