2016 Chateau Yquem 1500ml

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

Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW - Wine Advocate

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.

98 POINTS

Bettane & Desseauve - Bettane & Desseauve

La propriété a construit son assemblage surtout à partir des tries du milieu de vendanges, si étonnantes par leur côté aérien, et a une fois de plus réussi à allier puissance, pureté et buvabilité à un niveau unique dans le sauternais. Il y aura un peu plus de puissance dans le 2015. Les 25 % de sauvignon contribue à la fraîcheur des arômes.

97 POINTS

Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar Insider

Fat, sweet, tropical fruits, apricots and Mandarin oranges slathered in honey, vanilla and flowers. This is quite rich, Powerful and concentrated. It has more freshness than the 2003, but not as much freshness as you find in 2013. Still, this is complex, deep, log and intense, yet remarkably light on its feet. This will age much longer than I will.

96 POINTS

Tim Atkin

This is very good rather than a great Yquem, but that still makes a very special Sauternes. The botrytis came late,so this is not an especially exotic or decadent wine, with 135 grams of sugar,plenty of citrus and grape fruit acidity, some nectarine and white peach notes and a dusting of vanilla spice. 2022-32

96 POINTS

Roger Voss - Wine Enthusiast

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.

96 POINTS

Roger Voss - Wine Enthusiast

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.

96 POINTS

Neal Martin - Wine Advocate

The 2016 Château d'Yquem was picked over four tries through the vineyard, commencing on 27 September and finishing on 4 November. The crucial pass through the vines took place between 18-22 October when over half the crop was picked. In fact, 75% of the crop was picked during the final two weeks of the harvest. It has 14.2% alcohol and a residual sugar level of 135 grams per liter, a pH of 3.80. A classic blend of 75% Sémillon and 25% Sauvignon Blanc, it has a comparatively nuanced bouquet compared to Yquems that I have encountered at this stage. It opens gradually with light honeyed aromas, white flowers, apple blossom and just a touch of honeysuckle, although it does not possess the bravura personality of the astounding 2015. The palate is medium-bodied with a viscous opening, a subtle spice note leaving the mouth tingling. This is a fresh Yquem, tensile with moderate weight and delivering, perhaps belatedly, fine attack on the finish lined with subtle lemongrass notes. It will be interesting to plot the progress of this Yquem throughout its barrel maturation. This is an excellent Yquem no doubt, though I was missing that nerve, the labyrinthine complexity that can mark a top-tier Yquem even at this premature stage. I suspect that this will drink earlier than others, but age in(more...)