Buying options
Tasting Notes
Medium gold. reserved nose, slightly petrolly. quite rich, plump, spicy, reasonable concentrated, fine acidity, lemon drops, not as structured as most Yquems. very good length, slightly tarry finish. Decanter.com
Critic Scores
Average Score
Wine Spectator
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
From an average vintage in Sauternes, this is a rich, honeyed Yquem with attractive pear and lemon notes. The aromas are somewhat odd (volatile acidity?) and it lacks a bit of freshness and finesse, turning a bit burning on the finish.--Yquem vertical. Best after 2010. Winespectator.com
Served from an ex-chateau bottle. Sauternes only produced two exceptional wines in 1982: Suduiraut and Yquem. Although I have encountered the 1982 Chateau d’Yquem on three occasions, this is the finest bottle. It was an early vintage, physiological ripeness reached on September 16. Rainfall interrupted the harvest that really could not start in earnest until November 2, for just four days. It has a lucid amber color, and a fully mature bouquet with mandarin and marmalade aromas that are pure and well-delineated. Yes, there is a sense of conservatism here, yet you cannot but help be seduced by its exquisite balance and linearity. It gently builds to a lovely apricot and orange zest finish, with just a hint of rosewater lingering on the aftertaste. Drink now-2025. Tasted March 2014. Jun 2014, www.robertparker.com
Deep pinkish gold. Not absolutely pure on the nose. Lots of greenness and acidity and not especially concentrated. A bit loose and fades a bit. Almost Riesling-like build. A very different sort of Yquem – not for those who want mass. Lots of acidity dominates this wine, which others liked more than me. Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com
About the producer
The undisputed finest sweet wine in the world, Château d'Yquem is the only Premier Cru Supérieur estate in Sauternes, classified in 1855. With a long history stretching back to the Middle Ages, the château is entwined with that of the Lur-Saluces family – who remain involved today.