Community Tasting Note

• ricard Likes this wine: 96 points

  July 21, 2019 - Wine of the night for me. Simply great. Deep gold bronzed colour, but utterly clean and transparent. Fascinating aromas of herbs, bacon fat, honey, orange marmalade, and a hint of smokiness in between. Marzipan, fudge, fresh brioche, caramelised fruits. The marriage of intense sweetness and perfect acidity is so incredibly rewarding. You want salty blue cheeses with this. It's fascinating as well how this is ageing. This is the sort of wine that is appealing at every stage of its long evolution. It has a lot more still to go. Profound. Absolutely top tipple.

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7 Comments

• vintage1949 commented:

  9/16/19, 4:17 AM - Since you have had this wine previously a question. I have two bottles. One bottle is developing a light gold color in the bottle, the other bottle is clearly different-a deep, deep gold color presents itself. Any idea why this is that way? Which bottle do you think will end up being better? Thanks Dave

• ricard commented:

  9/16/19, 4:38 AM - Hi @vintage1949 and thanks for your question. I assume the two bottles are the 2001 vintage, they're the same size and format, come from the same place, ideally the same barrel (how far apart are the serial numbers on the bottles?) and have been cellared in the same place and under equal conditions since day 1. If that's the case, then only something like cork taint in one of them can explain the difference in colour. (The darker one could be the one that is tainted). If they have have not been stored in identical conditions, then one has aged faster than the other (the darker one) and, depending on the conditions, may or may not be flawed. In my experience, the combination of sugar and acidity in Sauternes means a very long life, and it's unusual to find these wines to be past their best. They can last half a century or more. (Rieussec and Yquem for example, can go on and on and on). The 2001 was a superb vintage. I personally adore the really old ones, so the dark one is probably the most delicious and complex of the two right now, unless as I say, it's corked. I would open that one first. Or if you can afford it, open both side by side and compare. Hope this helps.

• vintage1949 commented:

  9/16/19, 7:58 AM - Hi Ricard,
  First thanks for your stellar answer. Both bottles bought at the same time, same cellar conditions, and so forth. I can easily afford to open both bottles but that is a lot of wine to deal with. Don’t mean to be disrespectful but I think I will open one bottle at a time unless the first bottle I open is flawed. Maybe luck will play into my hands and both bottles will be good. Picking up some 2015 Château d'Yquem but-sigh-that will not be as old as the 2001.
  
  I am in full agreement with you— love old Sauternes. Thanks again for your detailed response. Dave
  
  Just an added thought-maybe I will buy another bottle so I will have at least two good ones. I could open the two I have for my seventh birthday party this weekend but not all guests are that into wine. Instead at the end of the party opening bottles of DP champagne as that will thrill the novices.
  
  Great fun having a wine cellar and making these decisions. I tell my wife having a cellar is hard work-she rolls her eyes.

• ricard commented:

  9/16/19, 8:01 AM - Hello again @vintage1949 - this correspondence is a pleasure. One at a time is the wise thing to do! I'm sure both will be uniquely delicious. And the Yquem - maybe the thing to do is wait 15-20 years! If you can muster the restraint...

• vintage1949 commented:

  9/16/19, 8:08 AM - I just added to my previous answer. Would love to wait as many years as you indicate with the 2015 Château d'Yquem but I am 70. So I will have to cut the aging short. Grin Dave

• ricard commented:

  9/17/19, 3:06 AM - Hi Dave, yes I would maybe open an Yquem on my 75th, and then leave one for my 80th if I make it to that age, after which, frankly, you should be allowed to drink whatever you like whenever you like. Your wife may roll her eyes, but cellaring wine is indeed hard work and a complex activity, but it is supremely pleasurable! I hope you have a wonderful seventieth birthday! (In an earlier comment you said "seventh" and I briefly thought, this child needs urgent parental supervision!)
  Ricard

• vintage1949 commented:

  9/23/19, 7:39 AM - Oh I always need supervision:)

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