2016 Chateau Yquem 375ml

99 POINTS

James Suckling

A very classic Yquem. Breathtakingly wide spectrum of floral honey, exotic fruit (passion fruit, mango and pineapple), caramel and marzipan aromas. But none of this is a jot too much. In fact, the wine is extremely precise and finely nuanced. Wonderful freshness and textural complexity, in spite of the considerable concentration and extravagance. Very suave and sensual finish that goes on and on. Drink or hold.

98 POINTS

James Suckling

What a sexy and moreish wine that makes you want to drink the whole bottle. Flavors and aromas of cooked apples, grilled pineapple, pie crust, apricots, dried mushrooms and flan. Full-bodied, yet tight and reserved. Very long and powerful. Lasts for minutes. Another great wine.

97 POINTS

Jane Anson - Decanter Magazine

Despite a rich botrytis character, this balances impact with delicacy. Clear citrus on the nose with a hint of flint and smoke, allowing the soft white flowers and lime blossom to steal up on you slowly. There are caramel notes through the mid-palate and great persistency, as ever. Extremely elegant. This was the driest summer since 1898, and the harvest at Yquem lasted a full two months, from 4th September (for the dry white Y d'Yquem) through to 4th November for the final selection of botrytis berries. The final yield is 20hl/ha, the highest in recent years against their average of 9hl/ha, with 40% going into the grand vin compared to 50% last year. 135g/l residual sugar and 3.9pH. 75% Sémillon and 25% Sauvignon Blanc. The 2015 will be released this September.

96 POINTS

Roger Voss - Wine Enthusiast

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.

94 POINTS

Wine Spectator

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.

92 POINTS

Stephen Brook - Decanter

When the Lur-Saluces family owned Yquem, this dry wine would be made from unbotrytised or lightly botrytised grapes and aged in new oak. It was, frankly, rather bizarre. Under its new owners, Ygrec's style has been modified, with very little botrytis influence and ageing in only 20 percent new barriques. This gives a fresher style while retaining its own personality. This has toasty grapefruit aromas, and considerable severity on the palate. Driven by firm acidity, it's very youthful and persistent, though it still has power rather than finesse. An acquired taste, but it's quite unlike other dry whites from the Graves.