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| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 93 pts. and median of 93 pts. in 35 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by steinersing on 9/20/2023 & rated 93 points: On the sweet side even for Yquem - but quite attractive. (799 views) | | | Tasted by forceberry on 5/25/2023 & rated 95 points: 14% alcohol.
Deep, luminous golden-yellow color. The nose feels concentrated and moderately evolved yet not old or tertiary with bold aromas of dried apricots and acacia honey, some dried pineapple, light fragrant nuances of saffron, a little bit of woody oak spice, botrytis hints of orange marmalade and exotic spices and a touch of cooked cream. The wine feels pretty concentrated on the palate and opens up with a rather sweet surprisingly intense attack of acacia honey, saffron and dried pineapple, followed by lighter notes of apricot jam, a little bit of exotic and slightly peppery spice, a hint of balancing Seville orange bitterness and a touch of creaminess. Although the wine feels concentrated, pretty dense and quite full in body, the overall feel isn't oily or heavy one little bit - partly thanks to the great high acidity. The finish is sweet, concentrated and remarkably persistent with a lengthy, intense aftertaste of honey, dried apricot, saffron tones, some woody notes of savory oak, light exotic spice nuances, a little bit of stony minerality, a balancing hint of Seville orange bitterness and a touch of orange marmalade.
A fantastic, impressively structured and still surprisingly youthful Sauternes. Although sweet in taste, the wine doesn't feel as sweet as one might expect from a Sauternes, but this might be either because of the age, the lesser vintage, or both. The wine doesn't feel young anymore, but it has still stood up against the test of time remarkably well - even the color is not as dark as I would've expected from a Sauternes 35 years old. Although 1987 might be a lesser vintage in Bordeaux (and in Sauternes) this wine managed to over-deliver for the quality. There's more depth, finesse and intensity here than in many a lesser Sauternes from a much better vintage! I guess there's a good reason why Château d'Yquem is considered to be in a class of its own. (895 views) | | | Tasted by WineScars on 10/31/2021 & rated 100 points: like a little smoking apricot colored star wrapped in a robe of storm and honey and mint and juniper
had at Pavillon Ledoyen for my dad's 70th bday : ) utterly gorgeous (2584 views) | | | Tasted by MC2 Wines on 3/21/2021: A Year Later in Vero...; 3/17/2021-3/21/2021 (Vero Beach): Had bought this to share with friends the previous month but had some logistical issues so brought to this event instead. I'd say always nice to end a night with D'Yquem, but my note is actually from a breakfast pour the next morning. It's not the absolute best of that producer, but all of the hallmarks are there - great balance and acid and sweetness and while maybe missing an extra depth to it, it was delicious (not sure how fair this is as the bottle sat out overnight). Still, I enjoyed the small taste left. (3207 views) | | | Tasted by Goldstone on 6/5/2020 & rated 94 points: From a 5.0l bottle that had been used as a door-stop in a friend's air-conditioned den for a year or three, so it was opened with low expectations but was absolutely gorgeous and mesmerising. No detailed notes as it was the end of an extended evening that then got a lot longer! (3204 views) | | | Tasted by englishman's claret on 1/5/2019 & rated 91 points: This was served blind. Very fresh nose; fresh sugar, touch almond, slightly tropical. More elegant with less botrytis than 89/90, I guessed it was a good but not great 88. In retrospect, I suppose that's reasonably close to the true identity: a great name in a poor adjacent year. Like the 1981, the wine is good for a poor year, but I wouldn't chase it. (4642 views) | | | Tasted by fcxj on 8/18/2018 & rated 92 points: Intensely sweet this one, yet to mellow. (4357 views) | | | Tasted by Zweder on 7/7/2018 & rated 93 points: Occasional dinner group: Magnums chosen by Kenny (@ Invincible in Antwerp, Belgium): Apricots and caramel in the bouquet. On the palate lots of apricots, concentrated and yet elegant because there is a firm amount of fresh acidity. Good length and a very beautiful wine. (3344 views) | | | Tasted by Jonc39 on 10/29/2017 & rated 82 points: Probably past its best but still delicious (3657 views) | | | Tasted by acyso on 10/23/2017 & rated 90 points: Elisabeth Salmon dinner at S.K.Y. (Chicago, IL): This showed a classic Yquem nose, with a touch of marmalade and coconut. It wasn't super intense or powerful (perhaps given the weaker vintage), but the familial signs were all there. The palate is not as sweet as many of the richer vintages, and that gives this a really nice lift. The bitter orange on the finish really ties this together, but it gets just a little too bitter. (4451 views) | | | Tasted by Bobhelge on 12/25/2016 & rated 94 points: 1 juledagsfylla med Bdx: Golden colour with long legs. Lovely aromas of fruit punch, diesel and ship yard. Deep medium sweet concentrated palate of caramelised apple, petroleum flavours, vanilla and botrytis. Long and delicious finish. Very fine balanced acidity. (3868 views) | | | Tasted by jeffclavier on 12/14/2015 & rated 95 points: Still unbelievably fresh and fruity for a not-so-popular vintage. Amazing. (4720 views) | | | Tasted by asajoseph on 10/26/2015 & rated 95 points: My first experience of Yquem, so I don't have much of a reference point, but I simply cannot agree with the critics who put the drinking window for this wine well in the past. Apparently not the best vintage, but it ticked pretty much every box for me, so I'd be keen to taste these wines further (obviously!), though it's taken me a while to get to this one so not sure when that will be.
There was just a hint of age on the wine - it was still fairly pale in colour, relative to the deep golden colour you associate with older sauternes, and the wine left me with an intense impression of fresh honeysuckle, just concentrated a hundred times over, as well as baked pineapple, red apple and tinned peach. There was enough acidity to keep it fresh, with a hint of rye (botrytis) right at the death.
Wonderful. (4737 views) | | | Tasted by fcxj on 10/17/2015 & rated 90 points: Enjoyable, but seemed syrupy next to effervescence of Egon. (3810 views) | | | Tasted by fcxj on 7/10/2015 & rated 92 points: Always delivers (4000 views) | | | Tasted by Mad Dog Mikey on 1/3/2015 & rated 96 points: My first Ch. D’Yquem. Drank it on New Year’s eve 2014-15 and three nights later. Color was golden/amber. Scents of apricot, pinapple, cloud berry. The texture was oily, round, silky and smooth. Its taste was powerful and concentrated ..like liquid cloud berry. On opening the bottle might have more distinct alcohol to it. The wine seemed more balanced and smooth a few nights later (having vacuumed pumped the bottle). My family had had this bottle for probably 25 years and the time had come. The anticipation and expectation was met with this beautiful experience. I have no references - and given that this was not a great vintage I will be curious to taste a better vintage. Although, I do believe that the ‘first experience’ of something great holds extra appreciation. (3975 views) | | | Tasted by Xavier Auerbach on 3/8/2014 & rated 92 points: A private dinner at a friend's (Amsterdam): Lovely golden colour with a hint of orange; classic Yquem profile on the nose, oak and lanolin, hint of honey; fresh and lively on the palate rather than powerful or honeyed, good weight, not very sweet, noticeable bitters; good but not great flavour persistence. Not a great Yquem but a very attractive style - for me at least. Wonderful surprise from this difficult vintage. (4441 views) | | | Tasted by Aenie on 11/12/2013 & rated 96 points: Big Bang Honey mix with white flower , sweet perfect , open and clear , clean with elegance , long finish , around with pure honey and bouquet (4072 views) | | | Tasted by Foodievines on 7/5/2013 & rated 93 points: Golden color with aromas of wet straw, honey, apricot and butter. In the mouth the flavor builds into a perfect blend of velvet and flavors of honeydew, and toasted vanilla. The flavor lingers wonderfully. What a treat! (4427 views) | | | Tasted by rnellans on 6/26/2013 & rated 93 points: Golden, creamy, orange, honey and apricot flavors. Lush. Could use a bit more acidity for me. (3905 views) | | | Tasted by DonWinspear on 1/17/2012 & rated 95 points: Wheat color in the glass. Beautiful expression of honey, almond, pineapple, apricot. Perfectly balanced acidity. Classic Yquem - a joy to drink. (4746 views) | | | Tasted by cousteau on 11/21/2006 & rated 95 points: Atra Deal Dinner (Vecchio Torino): What a way to finish a dinner. Golden to light amber color. Amazing nose of honey and apricots. The texture is beyond creamy and silky, very expansive sweetness and perfect balance. Never ending aftertaste. (6352 views) | | | Tasted by tendring on 11/23/2004 & rated 91 points: Institution of Civil Engineers - Château d'Yquem: Pale gold.
Gently fragrant, flowery notes with lemon and lime.
Delicately complex wine. (1793 views) | | | Tasted by Joe Belmaati on 5/20/2004 & rated 93 points: Medium yellow colour. Scents of abricot and tea leaves. Nice concentration and botrytis sweetness with a good fresh, clean acid to complement. Quite light and refreshing with good, dense flavours of pine apple and mango. There were also underlying hints of maple syrup and burnt sugar. Good harmony and integration with a pleasant finish. (6213 views) | | | Tasted by bestdamncab on 2/1/1991 & rated 87 points: Tasting of 1987 Chateau d'Yquem and 1986 Chateau De Fargues twenty five years ago. Sweet, rich honey on the nose, pineapple, more of the same on the palate, intense honey fruit, medium body, tasty for the vintage but fades to a medium finish. (1244 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| 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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