2016 Château Yquem Y d'Yquem 2016 1500mL

97 POINTS

James Suckling

I have always loved this dry white from Yquem, and this year it shows sliced pears, apples and hints of lime and chamomile. Full-bodied, creamy and crispy. This is a sauvignon blanc and semillon blend, and they pick the latter just when the semillon takes on a touch of botrytis. Fermented mostly in old Yquem barrels.

97 POINTS

James Suckling

A unique dry white Bordeaux with a cool, fragrant and vibrant personality. Lots of candied citrus and pineapple with hints of almonds and finely chopped fresh herbs. Although quite voluptuous and creamy on the palate, you’d never guess that it had 14.5 per cent alcohol, because of the wonderful, pineapple and lemon freshness. Just a whisker of sweetness at the long, elegant finish. A blend of 75 per cent sauvignon blanc and 25 per cent semillon. Drink or hold.

96 POINTS

Wine Spectator

Rather rich, with coconut, green fig, creamed pear, yellow apple and jasmine notes all melded together, picking up light acacia and elderflower accents on the finish. Very, very showy, with the underlying cut to pull it off. Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. Best from 2019 through 2026. 833 cases made.

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.

92 POINTS

Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW - Wine Advocate

The 2016 Ygrec is blended of 75% Sauvignon Blanc and 25% Sémillon and contains seven grams per liter of residual sugar. It has a very delicate nose of lemon peel, fresh green apples and grapefruit with touches of crushed stones, white pepper, dill seed and lime leaves. Medium-bodied, elegant and very refreshing, with great mineral intensity, it has a lingering citrusy finish.

91 POINTS

Neal Martin - Wine Advocate

The 2016 Ygrec (or “Y” as it is shown on the label and referred to) is, of course, the dry white from Yquem, and this latest release is a blend of 75% Sauvignon Blanc and 25% Sémillon picked between 5 September and 13 September. It has a fresh, attractive bouquet with citrus peel, Nashi pear, grass clippings and gooseberry, the Sauvignon firmly in the driving seat. The palate is where the Sémillon says: hold on a moment, it’s not all Sauvignon. The texture is waxy, and there are lovely peachy, watermelon notes that dovetail into a saline finish that leaves you wanting more. True, it is not cheap, and you could argue there is a plethora of cheaper alternatives. But they are not Yquem. Tasted September 2017. Drink 2017 - 2030