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| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 94.7 pts. and median of 95 pts. in 264 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by Mark1npt on 4/17/2024 & rated 96 points: Final wine of the 1st Growth night!
Dark yellow in the glass. Nose of honey and orange cream and maybe a hint of ginger. Palate is really creamy but doesn't seem to have the finesse of say an '01? Hard to argue the greatness of this one. I would drink it 365 days a year if I had it! Wonderful! (469 views) | | | Tasted by BLam on 4/3/2024 & rated 95 points: I brought this from OWC auctioned one year ago, for teh seafood dinner in 索罟湾 with the parents from SH. This was far better than our last one, goldn colour, good complex aroma, oily palate with good structure and long after taste. It was still young! (140 views) | | | Tasted by BLam on 3/28/2024 & rated 92 points: It was a disappointed btl for such a great vintage. The colour was light gold, nose was subtle, lean structure. I wonder if this btl was badly kept. (517 views) | | | Tasted by Sun_Ship on 3/2/2024 & rated 96 points: What a treat - powerful notes of honey, quince, burnt caramel and shortbread lead to a mellifluous blend of smooth honey, dried fruits and almonds, with lingering touch of crème brûlée on the finish. Sublime. (791 views) | | | Tasted by aodan_manca on 1/1/2024 & rated 98 points: Chateau d'Yquem 1986
Lovely golden color, very silky and sumptuous. Very elegant to the nose and palate.
Tasting notes: dried fruits (apricot, plum), honey, spices (saffron, cinnamon, pepper, liquorice) a slight mineral note too.
Absolute perfect balance between the sweetness and the acidity.
Probably this is not just drinking a glass of wine, it’s a real experience! (1595 views) | | | Tasted by jonboy74 on 12/30/2023 flawed bottle: cork fully saturated. disappointing to say the least. cork is pretty small, not sure holding 375mls for this long is a good plan unless they started using better corks!! (1472 views) | | | Tasted by The Vines That Bind on 12/25/2023 & rated 92 points: Fine bottle, fine wine, but I find these more of a novelty than truly pleasurable now. All apricot and a wicked headache. (1487 views) | | | Tasted by sh6k on 12/25/2023 & rated 97 points: One of my (new) favorite Yquems — has gotten a pronounced smoky burning rubber burnt caramel pepper character that gives depth and mystery, while still retaining brightness and of course sweetness. Fantastic pairing with Christmas beef roast. (1284 views) | | | Tasted by WinoRick on 12/7/2023 & rated 95 points: Not too dark, deep golden in color with most sweetness resolved. Tasted with a caramel apple tart, but the d'Yquem can be a dessert unto itself. Paired with a bottle of 1983 Lafaurioe Peyraguey which seemed insipid compared to the rich, complex Yquem.
I don't think there is any hurry here to drink this beauty. This was purchased upon release, but even at current prices d'Yquem is a great value for drinking not investment. A friend of mine had a 3L bottle of 1983 d'Yquem that he wanted to package with his outstanding cellar for auction by Zachy's. They took everything but the 3L of d'Yquem. (maybe he should send it to Yquem and have them rebottle it in smaller bottles?) (1399 views) | | | Tasted by acyso on 12/5/2023 & rated 98 points: Good vintages of Yquem (Chicago, IL): From half-bottle. I may well have misjudged this wine in the past. Tonight's bottle (of a colour that was comparable to the 2011) was one of the most compelling Yquems I've had. It's crystalline and bright, with a deft, light touch to the fruit, and focussing more on minerality than opulence. Perhaps this is what the modern incarnations are aiming at. So light and lithe on the palate, with this incredible freshness and lift that made this so easy to drink and enjoy. What a splendid example of a vintage that I had never been particularly keen on. (1764 views) | | | Tasted by Montesquieu on 12/5/2023 & rated 93 points: I didn't realize that I had drank and rated this wine previously (12/2/2020), and my impressions then were identical to now. Yquem for me is magical, but this is a vintage that has twice underwhelmed, either because it's past its prime or not among the very best. (1097 views) | | | Tasted by JulianSkeels on 10/5/2023 & rated 95 points: Fully consistent with my last note, this bottle was unlucky to follow an Egon Muller spatlese - which highlighted the lack of acidic cut in the slightly flabby 86. I’m increasingly much preferring the 88/89 duo for a similar price. 95pts tonight (1560 views) | | | Tasted by JulianSkeels on 8/30/2023 & rated 96 points: From half bottle. Baked pineapple, cinnamon and botrytis on the nose. Oily with sour pineapple in the mouth. Long finish albeit not the most broad or complex. Lovely though not in league of 88/89. Better from full bottles - this bottle isn’t as good as others from my cellar. 96pts (1562 views) | | | Tasted by canan on 8/26/2023 & rated 96 points: KYD #2.4: Packed with plenty of botrytis, orange, saffron and vanilla but also some quince. There is also a touch of oak.
Lovely complexity and a decent intensity. What a treat to taste this! Loved it! (1048 views) | | | Tasted by jlgnml on 8/23/2023 & rated 97 points: Les Degustateurs last tasting for a dear friend (Smyth and the Loyalist Chicago, IL): As said in prior notes, it’s only getting better. (1577 views) | | | Tasted by Papies on 8/5/2023 & rated 92 points: Papies at 30 (The Waterside Inn): By the glass ( via coravin) at The Waterside Inn.
Frankly among the lower end of experiences we have come across with otherwise what is liquid gold. This and maybe it was our bottle just lacking depth and excitement and could well be a function of the 86 vintage and how warm it was. It’s a a very good wine don’t get us wrong but for the price , the pedigree and the inherent expectation this ranks low. An objective 92 (1925 views) | | | Tasted by salil on 4/22/2023 & rated 93 points: "It's the hardest working liver in the galaxy Morty!"; 4/21/2023-4/22/2023 (Indianapolis): Opened earlier in the afternoon but served late night with a tray of canelés to cap one of the best lineups of wine I've ever explored. It's classic d'Yquem with its rich, luscious palate presence and an array of tropical and citrus fruits accented by honeyed, orange marmalade, and spicier botrytis notes. The botrytis here does overwhelm the other flavours on the finish where it feels a touch bitter and detracts slightly from the rest of the wine, but this is still a tremendous wine and (unsurprisingly) a perfect pairing for canelés. (2311 views) | | | Tasted by acyso on 4/22/2023 & rated 93 points: Indianapolis VI; 4/21/2023-4/22/2023 (Indianapolis, IN): From half-bottle. It really says something when a correct bottle of Yquem is the worst wine of the day. This was definitely consistent with my previous experiences -- a good but not great vintage. In some ways, it very much mirrors my experiences with red Bordeaux in this vintage -- quite structural and large-scaled, but charmless at the same time. This shows some bitterness on the midpalate through to the finish. The botrytis is prominent and shows mostly as bitter grapefruit marmalade; in fact the bitter notes very much remind me of citrus pith. Quite sweet, and with generous acidity, this does drink like an old-school Yquem, and while there's a lot of excitement to be had with the new editions, the old-school, aristocratic sensibility of this is what I think of when I think of Yquem. (2440 views) | | | Tasted by Jason Wu on 3/20/2023 & rated 97 points: 750ml bottle. Still very young in colour. Marzipan, almost savoury, sandalwood, orange peel, toast, 薏米, honey, very complex, doesn’t feel overly sweet at all. Superb balance with a lot of nuances and constantly evolve in the glass. Like other great vintage sweet wines (last one I had was 1988 quintarelli Recioto), what’s really charming is always the savoury within the sweetness. Endless length! Outstanding wine! (1855 views) | | | Tasted by Libbidog on 2/10/2023 & rated 99 points: We popped for a friend's birthday celebration. Served at cellar temp, 55 degrees, alongside some custard fruit tarts. Yquem is the most fascinating wine on the planet in my view. The effort that goes into making it is extraordinary. The dried fruit and syrupy orange character is sublime. And this 86 (high school grad year, BTW) will outlive me. Incredible acidity to carry it on for decades. 2 left in the cellar. they will not make it beyond 2026. What an experience. Life and wine are good! (1933 views) | | | Tasted by Stormo on 12/7/2022 & rated 95 points: Used the Coravin to pour 5oz each from a magnum at 55 degrees, no decant - just allowing it to change in the glass. Rich orange/gold color with honeysuckle and apricot nose. Initial citrus tartness that turns into sweet apricots, pears, and honey. As it warmed, the sweetness & flavors lingered longer and longer. Enjoyed with torchon and white fig confit, this was beautifully complex and delightful. In this format it will drink for many years to come! (2415 views) | | | Tasted by Michael Hung on 9/3/2022 & rated 93 points: The Grill Dinner: [Yquem flight at The Grill]
On the nose, rubber, peach, burnt sugar. Palette also carries rubber (slight VA or something odd), dates, raisins, slight mushroom and earthiness. Really great acid still, fruit fading for the most part into tertiary notes. Most developed, but not really hitting the notes for me as it was my least-liked Yquem. (2460 views) | | | Tasted by AllRed on 6/17/2022 & rated 97 points: Friday Night Brown Bagger (J&J's): Double blind, from a standard bottle. Light golden color with an intoxicating bouquet of pineapple, honey, peach and pear nectar. Rich, full and layered, with tremendous depth and presence across the palate. Flavors of orange zest, ripe peach, spun sugar and pear nectar. A stunningly great bottle of Sauternes. 97-98+ pts.
There is one wine which triggers that pear nectar note for my palate, and it's d'Yquem. Could it be? Yes, go with your gut. Appears and tastes young, and knowing this is our hosts' bottle I knew it must be older than it appears. I guessed '97 d'Yquem, but should have known it was from an even older, stronger vintage. Still, I am happy to have guessed the producer.
A very generous contribution from our hosts in honor of R&D's recent 45th anniversary celebration. Thank you J&J. (3277 views) | | | Tasted by glou.sf on 4/22/2022 & rated 97 points: Knockout nose with notes of melon, oranges, honey, ripe peach, and apricot. Excellent balance with lots of acidity and notes of honey, orange peel, citrus, and more melon on the palate. Very long finish. Simply outstanding Yquem! (3498 views) | | | Tasted by VinhoVerde on 4/15/2022 & rated 100 points: Medium gold color. Beautiful pure peach, butterscotch candy, and botrytis bouquet. Magnificent acid/fruit balanced flavor. Butterscotch note. To call this wine complex is a severe understatement.
Served from a half bottle. Will live for at least another decade. (3020 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By Neal Martin
Vinous, Unrivalled/ Unequalled: Yquem 1921–2019 (Apr 2022) (4/1/2022)
(D'yquem Yquem Sweet White) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (6/11/2021)
(Ch d'Yquem Sauternes White) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (7/2/2016)
(Ch D'yquem Sauternes White) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (2/13/2008)
(Ch d'Yquem Sauternes White) Subscribe to see review text. | By Richard Jennings
RJonWine.com (6/14/2012)
(Château d'Yquem) Light medium golden yellow color with 1 millimeter clear meniscus; botrytis, powdered sugar, baked apple nose; rich, creamy textured, silky, luscious yet delicate, powdered sugar, peach syrup palate; long finish 94+ points 94 points | By Richard Jennings
RJonWine.com (4/8/2011)
(Château d'Yquem) Medium dark apricot gold color; lovely, rich, botrytis, baked apricot, creme brulee nose; rich, unctuous, tasty, ripe apricot, baked apricot, creme brulee palate with good acidity; long finish 94 points | By Richard Jennings
RJonWine.com (3/16/2009)
(Château d'Yquem) Light medium apricot orange color; lime, quince and green tangerine nose; tart, orange, orange honey, lime, marmalade, green apple and tart peach palate, young with good acidity; long finish 93+ pts. 93 points | By Richard Jennings
RJonWine.com (6/14/2008)
(Château d'Yquem) Dark golden color; sugary, honey, coconut and pineapple nose; youthful and solid palate of tart apricot, pineapple, tart peach, with honey, minerality, good acidity and good depth; long finish 95+ pts. 95 points | By Richard Jennings
RJonWine.com (12/1/2007)
(Château d'Yquem) Medium orange color; brown sugar, orange, tart orange, caramel and brown sugar palate; medium-plus finish 94 points |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Vinous and JancisRobinson.com and RJonWine.com. (manage subscription channels) |
| Château d'Yquem Producer website - Read more about Chateau d’Yquem
Château d’Yquem had been in the hands of Lur Saluces family from 1785 to 1997. After several years of legal controversies, caused by disagreements within Lur Saluces family, mode giant LVMH (Louis Vutton, Moët Hennesy and Château Cheval Blanc) gained majority of shares in d’Yquem in 1997, when Count Alexandre de Lur Saluces sold his shares to LVMH. He did however continue as manager of d’Yquem, according to agreement with the new owner. This changed radically in May 2004, when he retired and was replaced him with Pierre Lurton, already manager at Cheval Blanc. The latest vintages of d'Yquem conform very convincing, that Pierre Lurton has greatly succeeded to maintain d'Yquem's fantastic quality.
This property is beautifully placed at hilltop in Sauternes commune, with its 103 ha big vineyard (clay and gravel on the surface and lime stones in the subsoil), planted with 80% Semillon and 20% Sauvignon Blanc. The average age of vines is 27 years and the yield does not exceed 10 hl/ha. The wine matures for 3.5 years in new barrels. Neither chaptalisation nor other techniques, which increase sugar content in grape must, are allowed. D’Yquem is one of the very few properties in the district, to use both semi-botrytised and fully botrytised grapes for the wine, in order to have enough acidity to balance sweetness.
D’Yquem is made without any compromises and consideration whatsoever about production costs - pickers are on constant alert for 1.5-2 months, and do many picking rounds in the vineyard. Often, the amount of these rounds is double or triple, compared to how many rounds other classified properties perform in the district. Here, we have the king of Sauternes & Barsac, world’s most expensive and most demanded dessert wine, which has an enormous keeping potential (50 years+). At its best, this wine possesses a purely exceptional botrytis, enormous concentration and such a nuance-richness, which makes you speechless.France Vins de France (Office National Interprofessionnel des Vins ) | Pages Vins, Directory of French Winegrowers | French Wine (Wikipedia)
Wine Scholar Guild vintage ratings
2018 vintage: "marked by a wet spring, a superb summer and a good harvest"
2019 vintage reports
2021: "From a general standpoint, whether for white, rosé or red wines, 2021 is a year marked by quality in the Rhône Valley Vineyards. Structured, elegant, fresh and fruity will be the main keywords for this new vintage."
2022 harvest: idealwine.info | wine-searcher.comBordeaux Bordeaux Wine Guide
Vins Bordeaux (Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux)
History of Bordeaux
History of 1855 Bordeaux Classification
"2009 is all about ripeness, with wines impressively packed with ripe fruit and high alcohol levels. They are showy, in-your-face, and full of pleasure. The 2010s have the fruit and alcohol levels of the 2009s, but with a compelling freshness on the finish that balances the fruit and provides a perfect sense of structure." - Ben Nelson
"2016 is a landmark vintage in certain spots of Bordeaux and it should be remembered as one of the most inspired campaigns of the last 40-50+ years." -Jon Rimmerman
"The quality of red Bordeaux in 2016 was universally lauded – although the response to the en primeur campaign was muted. Quantity was high too, with the equivalent of 770 million bottles of wine produced. An exceptionally dry summer with cool nights eventually, thanks to mid September rain, resulted in small, thick-skinned, ripe grapes, and the wines are marked by high tannin and acidity, with superb aromatic fragrance." - Jancis Robinson
"2017 was complicated, but there are some excellent wines. Expect plenty of freshness and drinkability from wines that will offer excellent value, and others that will rival 2016 in terms of ripeness and ageability. But they are likely to be the exception not the rule, making careful selection key." - Jane Anson
"In the past, a vintage such as 2022 may have been overripe, raisined and low in acidity but 2022 had a sneaky little reservoir in its back pocket - a near perfect marriage of cool/cold/rain the previous winter and the previous vintage that literally soaked the soils (a key to why 2022 is not 2003...or 1893)." - Jon RimmermanSauternes Le Grand Crus Classés de Sauternes et Barsac 1855 (Crus Classés de Sauternes et Barsac) - Read more about Sauternes, Barsac and its wines
– Read more about the 1855 Sauternes Barsac Classification
Forty kilometres south of Bordeaux, Sauternes is an AOC that includes together 5 communes, including Barsac. For centuries, humans have been patiently learning to master this region's climate, soils and grape varieties. But Mother Nature did a good job laying the foundation. The Sauternes terroir is distinguished by a geological predisposition to gravel and pebbles that cover limestone streaked with veins of clay. In the communes of Fargues and Sauternes, a layer of hardpan (iron-oxide cemented sand) in which vines flourish can be found. The vineyards at the highest elevations and farthest from the river have the best terroirs and produce the majority of the Crus Classés, including the monumental Château Yquem.Sauternes wines are made from Sémillon (80% of vines planted) and Sauvignon (15%) grapes. A bit of Muscadelle occasionally is used to give the wines an untamed touch. Sauternes have an "aged gold" colour that is denser and darker than other dessert wines. When they age, they develop a stunning amber colour. The nose has aromas of flowers and fruit that melt together to create a bouquet of remarkable complexity and balance. The primary aromas include almond, quince, mango, pineapple, stewed peach, dried apricot and passion fruit. There are also floral notes, with touches of linden, acacia, mimosa and honeysuckle. And as is typical with Sémillon, there are also notes of beeswax, almond and hazelnut. In the mouth, Sauternes wines have a powerful style that is viscous but extremely elegant. Its strong sweetness is captivating. Finally, its aromatic finish is something that simply must be experienced.
2013 Vintage Notes:
"the extractive ratios in th[is] year are in the phenomenal range and there's ripeness/botrytis to cover two treks around the globe [...] so appealing is the immediacy of the wines. Many can be enjoyed now for their sheer joy and delicious nature. [Some] should also age" - Jon Rimmerman
2014 Vintage Notes:
"a golden vintage for Sauternes. It may not have the depth or weight of 2010, but it has some of the richness. What has set 2014 apart is the intense lime and lemon flavors that cut into any overblown cloying character and allow both the fruit and the honeyed noble rot to sing." - Wine Enthusiast |
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