1982 "Y" d'Yquem
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Tasting notes
The 1982 Yquem is one of the few impressive Sauternes from a difficult vintage for the appellation. This bottle at the château replicates the showing of the one at Hatched two years earlier. The 1982 has honeysuckle and quince aromas on the nose that is perhaps a tad more floral, but it's very expressive and maybe even more defined than the better-regarded 1983. The palate is well balanced with a tangy entry and a fine bead of acidity. It is lively and precise toward the harmonious finish. Bon vin. Tasted at the Yquem vertical at the château.
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Jancis Robinson MW
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
Granny Smith apple, silky and soft texture, fresh acidities, quince, saffron and truffle notes, along with gentle citrus. There is less concentration than in many years of Yquem, and it is on the plateau but will not improve further from here. Unlike the red wines of Bordeaux, 1982 was more complicated in Sauternes, and in the end just the earliest passes through the vineyard, during September, were used in the final blend. But this remains a magical wine, wonderful to take your time over. 108g/l sugar, one of the lowest on record. Alexandre de Lur Saluces director.
The 1982 Yquem reached physiological ripeness on 16 September, though rain interrupted harvest that only really commenced on 2 November for just four days. My third encounter with this off-vintage blew me away and frankly, I was not prepared for the quality given the previous showings. Limpid gold in hue, this has a brilliantly-defined bouquet with shimmering scents of quince, saffron and honeysuckle, one of the most citrus that I can recall. The palate is built around its livewire acidity, taut and finely detailed with orange zest, quince and white peach. The 1982s focus and energy is irresistible. I suspect that I will never encounter a bottle as good as this. Tasted at the 1982 Bordeaux dinner at Hatched in London.
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.
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.