Chateau d'Yquem Sauternes 2016 (375ml)

With its rich botrytis character, this combines 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. There are caramel notes through the mid-palate and great persistency-extremely elegant.

Enjoy with foie gras, terrines, blue cheese, tarte tatin, crepes Suzette or duck with orange, but it will also be perfect for peach and apricot pies, cooked apples, creme brûlée with candied fruit, caramel cream and orange and pineapple parfait. 

75% Sémillon, 25% Sauvignon Blanc.

The wine matures for 3.5 years in new barrels. Neither chaptalization nor other techniques, which increase sugar content in grape must, are allowed. D’Yquem is one of the very few properties in the district, to use both semi-botrytized and fully botrytized grapes for the wine, in order to have enough acidity to balance sweetness.

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.

With 135 grams of residual sugar, the 2016 d'Yquem has turned out brilliantly in bottle, exhibiting a precise, harmonic, deep bouquet with aromas of mango, lychee, jasmine, exotic fruits, dry apricot and menthol. It’s moderately weighted and tense with a layered yet concentrated texture and a long, vibrant finish. Racy, charming and attractively complete, it distinguishes itself from its peers with its bright acidity. Anticipated Maturity: 2023-2050

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. -R.V.