1995 Yquem
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Tasting notes
This might be the best bottle of 1995 Yquem that I have encountered. This bottle is perhaps slightly less deep in colour than the one tasted three years earlier. The bouquet is divine: marmalade, orane pith, tangerine, saffron and here, the lightest of adhesive notes. Wonderful delineation. The palate is very complex and exquisitely defined, still a precocious Yquem, though less reserved on the back end with mandarin, quince and dried honey. This is drinking beautifully right now. Tasted at the château.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
Tasted from a half bottle, the 1995 Château D'Yquem is clearly mature yet, like just about every vintage from this heralded château, has decades ahead of it. Caramelized orange, toffee, apricot jam, and exotic floral, spicy notes all define this medium to full-bodied, rich, layered Yquem. It has nicely integrated acidity, beautifully balanced sweetness, and a gorgeous finish. It doesn't hit the heights of some of the all-time greats, but it's a quintessential, beautifully mature example of Yquem that's such a joy to drink.
The 1995 Yquem is deep gold in colour. According to the estate, potential alcohol levels shot up from 16° at the beginning of harvest to 30° within two weeks. The bouquet bursts from the glass, as before, quite Barsac-like in style with white peach, tangerine, acacia and saffron, a touch of candle wax with time. I have always found this to be a precocious Yquem, quite unctuous, showy even, though this example has more reserve towards the finish and perhaps more delineation. After a quarter of a century, this is drinking beautifully now. À point. (NM)
About the producer
The undisputed finest sweet wine in the world, Château d'Yquem is the only Premier Cru Supérieur estate in Sauternes, classified in 1855. With a long history stretching back to the Middle Ages, the château is entwined with that of the Lur-Saluces family – who remain involved today.