Chateau Yquem 375ml 2016
The Collective Review
This is a very special offer for those fine wine lovers with a sweet tooth.
Why? Because Château d'Yquem is arguably the world’s most prestigious white wine, and this is your unmissable opportunity to discover it for yourself. Coined the nectar of the gods, Château d'Yquem is a wine from the Sauternes, Gironde region in the southern part of Bordeaux in France. Raised to the ranks of Premier Cru Supérieur classification in 1855, it is the only sweet white wine of such prestige. Part of Château d'Yquem’s excellence is attributed to its ancestral winemaking knowledge, with a history dating back to 1593, partnered with its unique microclimate and exceptional terroir.
This 2016 vintage comes with a wealth of critic points & praise.
If the quality of Château d’Yquem is not to a standard in a certain year, the château doesn’t release a vintage under its label; there were nine vintages skipped during the 20th century. So count yourself incredibly fortunate that you’ve got an opportunity to taste one from an exceptional vintage.
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. Read more
Critic Reviews
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Le nez est fin, nuancé, très hespéridé, sur les agrumes, avec des notes florales et fruitées très pures. D’un superbe Equilibre de bouche, il offre une silhouette fuselée, très pure, avec un côté aérien dans la texture. Finale très civilisée, sans une once de lourdeur, mais avec, par rapport à l’an dernier où il avait atteint des sommets, une complexité plus limitée. C’est très bon, avec même un caractère immédiat, évident, d’une pureté totalement irrésistible.
(75 Semillon, 25 Sauvignon Blanc)
Technical Attributes
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![Producer]()
Producer: Château Yquem
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![Varietal]()
Varietal: Botrytis Semillon Sauvignon Blanc
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![Region]()
Region: Bordeaux
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![Alcohol]()
Alcohol: 14.0%
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![Net volume]()
Net volume: 375ml
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![Vintage]()
Vintage: 2016
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![Cellar to]()
Cellar until 2066
Producer: Château Yquem
Varietal: Botrytis Semillon Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Bordeaux
Alcohol: 14.0%
Net volume: 375ml
Vintage: 2016
Cellar until 2066
Tasting Notes
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.
Winemakers Note
Yquem, a myth, a miracle of nature and a unique wine. Yquem has a universal compelling power. It goes straight to the heart, soul, and senses of anyone tasting it, whether seasoned or inexperienced. Château d’Yquem is an extraordinary place, at the very heart of Sauternes, with a hundred hectares of vineyards are planted on a mosaic of different soils. All the conditions are there to grow exceptional grapes and achieve the finest noble rot, the famous botrytis cinerea. Only the best grapes sublimated by botrytis cinerea are picked, because this is the golden rule at Yquem: never look for simplification, or shortcuts, and accept the risk of losing everything. This is the price to pay to achieve excellence. For centuries, Château d’Yquem has been served at the most lavishing celebrations and for the world’s greatest figures: from Europe’s kings to Japanese emperors. The best international chefs offer Yquem in their restaurants and they even create specific dishes to match Yquem. Yquem’s aura reaches even beyond the cuisine arena. Indeed, it has been dear to great statesmen, such as George Washington, first president of the United States, and it was named the only “Premier Cru Classé Supérieur” during a classification process requested by Napoleon III, but it has also inspired artists. The 2016 vintage The winter of 2016 was very mild and wet. Spring rainfall was close to the seasonal average, except for late May and early June, when the weather was unsettled. Average temperatures were also normal, although fluctuations between hot and cold were much greater than usual. A hot and totally atypical summer featured drought conditions that exceeded any ever recorded at the château, but which did not have a negative effect on the vines thanks to water reserves in the estate's clay terroirs. Extremely cool autumn weather was conducive to the slow, but thorough botrytisation of the grapes. Encompassing 4 passes, the 2016 harvest was very long and about 75% of the crop was picked in the last two weeks.
Customer Reviews
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