Chateau d'Yquem 2017

Notes of extremely pure Botrytis, with wonderful oiliness, breadth and breed; a monumental wine that combines power with class. Absolutely needs further aging.

Very flattering and unctuous in feel, with coconut, creamed papaya, toasted hazelnut and warmed peach and tangerine cream flavors gliding along in unison, all framed by warm brioche and piecrust notes on the finish. Remarkably rich, yet poised and pure. Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc. Best from 2025 through 2045. 4,166 cases made.

Still very youthful with light golden colours, showing flashes of green in the glass. Intensely aromatic with tropical fruit notes, pineapple, roasted apricot, honey and lime zest. Full-bodied and rich on the palate with plenty of botrytis notes showing through. Although unctuous and weighty, this Yquem retains plenty of acidity which freshens the palate and balances the concentrated fruit. Sandrine Garbay noted that 2019 reminded her of 2017, with the 2019 showing a little more opulence. Served with a dish of roasted pollock and smoked mussels, this was a wonderful combination, showing the sweetness and purity of Yquem. Residual Sugar: 148g/L.

Clearly one of the great vintages of d'Yquem of all time, this stunner is off the hook from the initial sniff. Roasted apricots, overripe pineapple, vanilla, mango, marzipan and creme caramel all topped with honey keeps you focused on the wine. If that isn't enough when the wine crosses your palate, the weight, volume, intensity and richness discovered in the layers of honey-slathered tropical fruits, vanilla and apricot. What makes everything work is the razors edge of acidity that gives the wine the necessary lift. Like all great wines, you can enjoy this young, but if you have the patience, or young children to gift this to, this will be markedly better in 20 or more years.

Golden in colour, with a heady aroma of orchard fruits and citrus — pomelo, grapefruit and tangerine. Dried apricots and orange marmalade are a mark of intense Botrytis. RL

Concentrated, velvety, complex, creamy bouquet of tangerine, citrus, chalk, mint, cooked pears. Concentrated, finely opulent, fruity, multi-layered palate with opulent sweetness, dense, creamy structure, varied, powerful aromatics, and a very long, lavish, powerful finish. 19/20 2028 - 2060

What density, what power, and how many facets in Yquem’s bouquet. There is plenty of freshness and breadth with notes of peanuts, bitter orange and grapefruit. I also notice hints of popcorn and caramel. With aeration, after about 15 minutes, the nose reveals floral notes with chamomile followed by wafts of peach and rhubarb. A suave, creamy, racy attack with exceptional precision. On the palate, the wine is dense, racy, creamy, suave and lively! Such balance and intensity. Everything is measured, yet enchanting, stirring and convincing. Here, the notion of charm tempered by character takes on its full meaning thanks to an exceptional ability to rein in extravagance while positioning itself with serenity, nobility and assurance. A kind of prince who knows full well he will be king, already commanding respect and silence, for such a marvel invites one to pause, be still, and let Yquem’s magic work. This is a great Yquem, certainly timeless, which naturally reserves the right not to reveal all its secrets just yet. And quite right; in an age when we obtain a multitude of information instantly, it is a healthy reminder that time is immutable and that knowing how to wait may be the beginning of wisdom! One can still enjoy it on release, because a great wine is always great from the start. And for a long time.

Logo on the cork: PK Bright, pale yellow color. Very aromatic nose, fine, fruity, subtle and noble. Pear undertone. Caressing on the attack, then very finely silky mid-palate, luminous; the wine rises between the mid-palate and the finish, where it ends long, complex and noble, with a brilliant flavor. It’s unspittable. The confit character is there in an extremely distinguished version. Very impressive length.