2013 Château d'Yquem, France, Bordeaux, Sauternes, Wine Review

Not a whole lot more to say about Yquem that hasn't been said, but it is arguably the greatest winery on the planet. The 2013 is a very good if not top vintage, but still a thrill to drink. Golden in color, light with just a tinge of orange. The nose is great with apricots, slight honey and slight tangerines. Viscous. Full bodied. Great balance. On the palate, this is delicious. Flavors of apricots and tangerines. Sweet with enough acidity to not be cloying. The finish goes on forever. This is drinking well now and should drink well for another twenty to thirty years. Great on its own, this will work with a less sweet yellow cake.

Grade:

A+

Score:

Vintage:

2013

Current Price:

$350.00USD

Chateau D’Yquem: Greatest Wine in the World?

In the series on the 1855 Classification of the First Growths, I spoke exclusively about red wines. In that same year, however, the sweet dessert wines from the Bordeaux communes of Barsac and Sauternes were also classified. All of the dessert wines listed were rated as either premier cru (first growth) or second growth status. That is, all but Yquem which was rated Premier Cru Superieur (First Great Growth), a higher rating even than any red wine achieved in their 1855 Classification. Yquem is quite possibly the greatest wine made anywhere and has a history dating back four hundred years! While every wine region has its stars, there is probably no other winery that so dominates the quality of a region and has such as a lofty reputation as Chateau Yquem. What makes these wines so special is that they develop a rot called botrytis cinera also known as Noble Rot. When certain grapes are attacked they get moldy which, in a wonderful twist of fate, causes the grapes to lose much of their moisture, concentrating the flavors. The resulting grapes look like moldy shriveled raisins that produce a sweet nectar.

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2011 Château d'Yquem, France, Bordeaux, Sauternes, Wine Review

Vintage:

2011

Score:

Grade:

A+

Current Price:

$400.00USD

Yquem might be the single greatest wine in the world. Yes, those are bold words, but it is arguably true. This bottle was wonderful indeed. Paired with Mango roses in a Rose water and honey sauce, it was sublime. Light golden in color, this wine is still quite young. The nose is amazing with slight apricot, lots of honey and orange peel. Viscous and sweet, not cloying. The orange peel and honey carry thru. The thing about Yquem is the finish. It goes on forever and ever. Very nice acidity in 2011. This bottle will continue to age and mature for fifty years and no doubt at some po

2008 Château d'Yquem, France, Bordeaux, Sauternes, Wine Review

Vintage:

2008

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$345.00USD

There is not much more to offer about Yquem. It is arguably the finest wine made on the planet. This bottle was served early in the dinner along side fois gras or a vegetarian starter. It went quite well. The bottle had been opened and decanted ahead of time and this bottle seemed to be at just a bit lower than cellar temperature. Not the best Yquem ever but certainly a very good vintage that is in a good, if young, place right now. Golden in color. The nose is slightly sweet with apricots and slight honey. On the palate, slight peaches, slight honey and apricots with a touch of min

1990 Château d'Yquem, France, Bordeaux, Sauternes, Wine Review

Vintage:

1990

Score:

Grade:

A+

Current Price:

$380.00USD

Wow. Served alongside the 2008 Yquem, it just wasn't fair. An amazing wine. Deeper (not too deep) gold in color with just a bit of orange/bronze. The nose is mazing. Apricots and honey, slight burnt orange peel and just a whiff of vanilla. On the palate, this has that great acidity to balance the sweetness. Tons of apricots, slight peach and a bit of orange. Layered and complex, it is both fascinating and delicious. A combination of candy and fruit. The finish goes on forever. It will work with the right dessert but really needs none. It seems to be both mature and will probably

2019 Château d'Yquem, France, Bordeaux, Sauternes, Wine Review

Vintage:

2019

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$320.00USD

Always a pleasure to drink Yquem. From a 375ml bottle. This is young, of course, but delicious. It is a blend of 55% Semillon and 45% Sauvignon Blanc. Light golden in color with some orange hues, clear and bright. The nose has apricots, honey and slight caramel notes. Full bodied. Viscous. Excellent acidity. On the palate, this is sweet, not cloying. Apricots with honey. Incredibly long finish. This will get better with further cellaring, but is delicious now. Drink over the next thirty years. great on its own, this would also work with simple pound cake.

2013 Château d'Yquem, France, Bordeaux, Sauternes, Wine Review

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