Tasting Notes
Vinous 93
The 1996 Yquem is a vintage I have not tasted for a wee while, and it has not previously appeared in Vinous’ expansive database. I tasted two bottles. The first, opened in New York, paled against the 2006 Yquem opened alongside. A curious showing. The second, opened a few weeks later, is much better. This is much purer on the nose than previous examples, delivering wild honey, mirabelle plum, saffron and barley sugar with fine delineation. The palate is elegant with a crisp line of acidity, clementine mingling with freshly cut ginger and apricot. The finish shows commendable intensity. This is much more like it! Tasted at the château.
Anticipated maturity: 2026-2046
Robert Parker 95
Tasted single blind at Farr’s 2005 dinner in Hong Kong. It is a while since I last tasted this vintage. Like before, the nose is tightly coiled and demands coaxing from the glass, but eventually it yields and offers a lovely bouquet of wild honey, honeysuckle, lemon curd and barleysugar. The palate is more tensile then I remember on the entry, with a keen thread of acidity and notes of mandarin, Seville orange, tinned apricot and honey, hints of almond sprinkled over the finish. It does not quite have the complexity of a top flight Yquem, but it is still a great Sauternes for long-term consideration. Tasted November 2011.
