1989 Yquem
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Tasting notes
Saffron, tobacco leaf, cold ash, black tea, at this point the perception of sweetness decreases, and the gorgeous interplay of spice and bitterness increases, colour deepened to an orange rust, think bitter orange peel, kumquat, saffron, oyster shell, still fresh peach juice, the intensity of this is perfectly pitched, creme caramel, mango, mint leaf, so good.
Critic scores
Average Score
Wine Spectator
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
Half-bottle with a label so cellar-weary that it's impossible to see the alcohol, or much at all – except the vintage. Deep tawny. Butterscotch and crème brûlée. Really lovely! Fresh but with a dry finish after immense, beguiling sweetness. Very long and with waves of richness. Such life and class to this! (JR)
The 1989 Yquem is such an excellent Sauternes that just never lets you down. It has similar aromatics to the previous bottle a couple of years ago with saffron and quince. A little more marmalade comes through with aeration. There's real energy and outstanding delineation here. The palate is well-balanced and takes time to meld together before it offers a cornucopia of flavors: marmalade, tangy and spicy with a touch of stem ginger. Plenty of botrytis on the finish - maybe now reaching its peak? But it will be a very long plateau. Tasted at the Yquem 1980s vertical at the château.
One of the high points of this vertical tasting, the 1989 d'Yquem is a magical wine offering up a complex, refined bouquet with aromas of quince, apricot, pineapple, menthol, flowers and white truffles, followed by a full-bodied, concentrated and seamless palate, pure and vibrant structure and lively acids, concluding with a long, perfumed, ethereal finish.
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.