2003 Château d'Yquem
Community Tasting Note
Greg Munyard wrote:
Wednesday, January 21, 2015 - Wow – cop that! A powerful, complex, oh so distinctive Yquem nose of honeyed, dried apricots and perfumed, almost musky, oak together with lashings of botrytis, makes a great signpost to a wonderful palate.
* A rich, thick and luscious, indeed voluptuous (14% alc.) palate …
* of very intense, complex and “lip-licking” flavours in the dried apricots and honey spectrum, with full-on botrytis …
* plus well balanced, powerful acid and typical edgy Yquem oak, which has a beautiful musky dimension which perfectly complements the powerful fruit …
* and with a distinctly warm mouth-feel from the hot year (and the oak) ...
* the flavours linger for minutes after swallowing.
This is not an apologetic, shy wine. “Decadent” describes it well. I can smell the wine as I write this, with the glass over 60cm away! Some bottles I’ve drunk seemed more silky but the edgy oak of this bottle (especially as it warmed up a touch) was just right for it at the moment. Changes quite a bit with the temperature; which is a fun experiment. Much prefer it to that other hot year (1997) of the era, and I love the way it is developing. A truly glorious wine.
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2 comments have been posted
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Comment posted by aagrawal:
1/21/2015 6:07:00 PM - One of my favorite Yquems of the last two decades. Decadent describes it well, and I too noted the stunning acidity. I hope to try this as many times as possible for as long as possible!
Comment posted by Greg Munyard:
1/21/2015 6:37:00 PM - Thanks, aagrawal. Agree with you that this is one of the best Yquems of the last 2 decades, and you've tried a few, I see! I enjoyed a few 76's way back when, and I reckon the 2003 is at least as rich and complex; perhaps a bit more so. I think they've done a superb job of balancing the tour de force fruit with the acid and oak, and I was so pleased to load up on these at good prices (unlike current vintages). Thanks for yr comment.