Wine Spectator 95Decanter 94Review Score 91
Bordeaux

2018 Château Yquem Y d'Yquem 2018 1500mL

This has a fresh, floral aroma, with honeysuckle and elderflower notes leading the way, followed by a rather creamy, refined palate of kiwifruit, makrut lime and verbena flavors. As the finish glides through, this offers hints of quinine, acacia and white peach. Shows beautiful range and definition, with serious length. Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. Drink now through 2026. 833 cases made. Read more
Critic Reviews
Expert Review
95 POINTS
Wine Spectator

This has a fresh, floral aroma, with honeysuckle and elderflower notes leading the way, followed by a rather creamy, refined palate of kiwifruit, makrut lime and verbena flavors. As the finish glides through, this offers hints of quinine, acacia and white peach. Shows beautiful range and definition, with serious length. Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. Drink now through 2026. 833 cases made.

Expert Review
95 POINTS
James Molesworth - Wine Spectator

This has a fresh, floral aroma, with honeysuckle and elderflower notes leading the way, followed by a rather creamy, refined palate of kiwifruit, makrut lime and verbena flavors. As the finish glides through, this offers hints of quinine, acacia and white peach. Shows beautiful range and definition, with serious length. Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. Drink now through 2026. 833 cases made. — JM

Expert Review
94 POINTS
Jane Anson - Decanter Magazine

For the third time in its history, this was entirely harvested in August (mainly 23 to 28, but the first berries were picked on August 13 - the earliest date ever). Rich fruit, lovely acidity and salinity on the finish, shot through with honeysuckle and clear citrus. They harvest Y in the same way as Yquem, where it is grape by grape rather than vine by vine, and sometimes grapes from the same bunch goes on to make Yquem later. 3.15pH. Also tasted September 2020; same score.

Expert Review
91 POINTS
Neal Martin - Vinous

The 2018 Y de Yquem is a blend of 75% Sauvignon Blanc and 25% Sémillon bottled at the end of August. It offers light grass clipping and green apple scents on the nose, the Sauvignon Blanc defining the aromas. The palate is fresh on the entry, light and crisp with touches of pineapple and dried apricot, a hint of grilled walnut towards the finish. This actually improves with aeration, gaining some delightful praline and subtle white chocolate notes.

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Technical Attributes
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Tasting Notes

For the third time in its history, this was entirely harvested in August (mainly 23 to 28, but the first berries were picked on August 13 - the earliest date ever). Rich fruit, lovely acidity and salinity on the finish, shot through with honeysuckle and clear citrus. They harvest Y in the same way as Yquem, where it is grape by grape rather than vine by vine, and sometimes grapes from the same bunch goes on to make Yquem later. 3.15pH. Also tasted September 2020; same score. Jane Anson 94 Points Decanter

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Winemakers Note

2018 vintage described by the Château : The growing season of the 2018 vintage unfolded under tropical conditions. On the 15th of July, a violent hailstorm caused considerable damage in Sauvignon Blanc plots, limiting production of Y. However, the 15th of August signalled a return to fine weather. For the third time in history, Y was entirely harvested in August – from the 23rd until the 28th – in keeping with the greatest early-ripening vintages, such as the 2011 and 2017. Alcohol content: 14.00%Vol. - Residual sugars: 5 g/L - Total acidity: 6.5 g/L H2T – pH: 3.15 Sauvignon 75% - Semillon 25%

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