These sweet wine communes lie on the left bank to the south of Bordeaux. Sauternes is the most famous pudding wine area in the world, with a bottle of Chateau d’Yquem being a truly unforgettable experience. The best properties lie on slopes down to the river, where the misty humid weather, which encourages the formation of noble rot, is more likely to occur.
Tasting notes: The 1982 vintage, seriously maligned because of the rains that plagued the harvest in Sauternes, was actually an outstanding vintage for both d'Yquem and its nearby neighbor, Chateau Suduiraut, who brought in much of their crops before the rains did any damage. D'Yquem then waited until the harvest dried out, bringing in their last grapes on November 7th. The 1982 is a very forward style of d'Yquem, plump, succulent, with honeyed pineapple, peach, and apricot flavors, exhibiting some, but not a great deal of botrytis. In the mouth, it is massive, thick, and almost as impressive as the 1983, but one does not sense the same degree of length or potential complexity. Nevertheless, this is still a great d'Yquem that has been somewhat overlooked. Anticipated maturity: 1997-2020. 92 points RP
Price: £295.00
Size: 75cl
Colour/style: Sweet
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Tasting notes: Yquem's 1991 is a beautifully made, medium gold-colored wine with a gorgeous nose of creme brulee, roasted coffee, and sweet, honeyed pineapple and other assorted fruits. Full-bodied, unctuously-textured, and rich, but not yet revealing a lot of complexity or enormous weight. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2040 91pts RP
Tasting notes: Compared with the flamboyant aromatics of the 1997, Yquem's 1996 plays it closer to the vest, although there is a lot going on. Light gold with a tight but promising nose of roasted hazelnuts intermixed with creme brulee, vanilla beans, honey, orange marmalade, and peaches, this medium to full-bodied offering reveals loads of power in its restrained, measured personality. There is admirable acidity, weight, texture, and purity in this impeccably made Yquem. However, patience will be a virtue. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2060. 95 points RP
Tasting notes: Bright honeyed fruit here, and a really appealing vigour and concentration. Delicious entry, cool, gently fleshy, bordering on unctuous, but with a lightly floral, fruity and minerally lift. Lots of flare and character, good grip, and a light, acidic freshness.
