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Tasting Notes
The 2016 Ch. d’Yquem is pale gold, with viscous golden tears that coat the glass. Aromas of acacia honey and beeswax dominate at first, but with air the wine starts to reveal its complex profile. Hints of spring lavender and white lily, candied orange and lemon peel, sugar-coated pecans, ripe pineapple, ginger and lemon meringue pie all mingle – the wine shifting endlessly in the glass. Overall, and as ever with Yquem, it is effortlessly balanced, the luscious sweetness offset by zesty, mouth-watering acidity. The finish is long, elegant and nuanced.
Critic Scores
Average Score
Wine Enthusiast
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
The 2016 Yquem was picked from 27 September until 4 November after drought-like conditions in the summer. It has an attractive nose with white chocolate, chamomile and Chinese white tea infusing the honeyed fruit. Very well defined and focused with more cohesion than previous bottles. The palate is medium-bodied with a viscous opening that demonstrates a little more weight than the 2015, a fine bead of acidity and touches of ginger and lemongrass enlivening the finish. I feel this has gained a bit more complexity in recent years. Tasted at the château.
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.
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.
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.