Chateau d'Yquem - Sauternes 2016 (375ml)
Price: $310.00
| Producer | Chateau d'Yquem |
| Country | France |
| Region | Bordeaux |
| Subregion | Sauternes |
| Varietal | White Blend |
| Vintage | 2016 |
| Sku | 06668 |
Chateau d'Yquem Description
Product of an exceptionally hot and dry summer season, the superb Chateau d’Yquem 2016 shines bright, revealing a wonderful purity and elegance, confirming its status as a true icon among the Grands Crus Classes of Sauternes.
Having begun on September 27, 2016, the harvest lasted until November 4, with 4 successive passes. Nearly 75% of the harvest was carried out in the last 2 weeks. The selection of the grapes (75% Semillon and 25% Sauvignon Blanc) was extremely precise, ensuring that only fully botrytized grapes with perfect acidity levels were included in the blend. The result is a testament to the hard work and attention of the technical teams at Chateau d'Yquem, under the direction of the talented Francis Mayeur.
Along with its great finesse and subtlety, the Chateau d'Yquem 2016 reveals a complex and nuanced yet pure aromatic bouquet. Fresh notes of white fruit and floral fragrances give way to delicious exotic fruit flavors, like mango, vanilla and beeswax. On the palate, the Chateau d'Yquem 2016 is a luscious nectar, packed with exotic and candied fruits, along with a hint of caramel. Its texture reveals a brilliant purity, elegance and finesse. And finally, a beautifully vibrant acidity, so emblematic of the Yquem style, stretches long into a persistent finish that offers a brilliant shock of freshness at the end. A superb and complex Chateau d'Yquem of great pedigree. A great Sauternes, promising a fantastic evolution in the bottle.
Wine Advocate: 98 Points
Containing 135 grams per liter of residual sugar, the pale lemon-gold colored 2016 d'Yquem leaps from the glass with honeyed apricots, pineapple, green mango, crushed rocks, candied ginger, coriander seed and citrus peel with hints of orange blossom. The palate is very tightly wound, vibrant and refreshing with layer upon layer of minerals and spices, finishing with epic poise and persistence.
Wine Enthusiast: 95-97 Points
95–97. Barrel Sample. The bouquet opens with aromas of honey and citrus, offering richness and freshness at the same time. The mouthfeel is opulent, with honeyed flavors. There is some acidity underneath, although decadence and concentration are its defining attributes. It will age for decades. Roger Voss
Wine Spectator: 94 Points
This is exotic, with very lush and seductive notes of coconut, honeysuckle, creamed white peach, glazed pear, mirabelle plum and yellow apple, all woven together seamlessly. Beautifully caressing in feel, with a long acacia echo on the finish. Best from 2023 through 2040. — JM
Vinous Media: 93 Points
The 2016 Yquem has a taut, detailed bouquet with subtle Aszù tones that recede to offer melted candle wax, saffron and light almond aromas, although the new oak is quite vocal at the moment. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, if a little heavy compared to its peers, and a touch of spice lingers on the aftertaste. Fine and understated in style, and perhaps that is why I might have been parsimonious in my score. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. -- Neal Martin
