Yquem 2016

The nose has fragrance white peaches the palate is rich with ripe fruit a lovely complex mix. Sweet in the middle dried fruits and candied peel sumptuous the fleshy richness underpinned by citrus lighter at the back with lingering fragrances on the finish. 2025-48

This is very good rather than a great Yquem, but that still makes it a very special Sauternes. The botrytis came late, so this is not an especially exotic or decadent wine, with 135 grams of sugar, plenty of citrus and grapefruit acidity, some nectarine and white peach notes and a dusting of vanilla spice. 2022-32

What a sexy and moreish wine that makes you want to drink the whole bottle. Flavors and aromas of cooked apples, grilled pineapple, pie crust, apricots, dried mushrooms and flan. Full-bodied, yet tight and reserved. Very long and powerful. Lasts for minutes. Another great wine.

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. 2024 - 2060

The 2016 Yquem has a taut, detailed bouquet with subtle Aszù tones that recede to offer melted candle wax, saffron and light almond aromas, although the new oak is quite vocal at the moment. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, if a little heavy compared to its peers, and a touch of spice lingers on the aftertaste. Fine and understated in style, and perhaps that is why I might have been parsimonious in my score. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. 2024 - 2050

The 2016 Château d'Yquem was picked over four tries through the vineyard, commencing on 27 September and finishing on 4 November. The crucial pass through the vines took place between 18-22 October when over half the crop was picked. In fact, 75% of the crop was picked during the final two weeks of the harvest. It has 14.2% alcohol and a residual sugar level of 135 grams per liter, a pH of 3.80. A classic blend of 75% Sémillon and 25% Sauvignon Blanc, it has a comparatively nuanced bouquet compared to Yquems that I have encountered at this stage. It opens gradually with light honeyed aromas, white flowers, apple blossom and just a touch of honeysuckle, although it does not possess the bravura personality of the astounding 2015. The palate is medium-bodied with a viscous opening, a subtle spice note leaving the mouth tingling. This is a fresh Yquem, tensile with moderate weight and delivering, perhaps belatedly, fine attack on the finish lined with subtle lemongrass notes. It will be interesting to plot the progress of this Yquem throughout its barrel maturation. This is an excellent Yquem no doubt, though I was missing that nerve, the labyrinthine complexity that can mark a top-tier Yquem even at this premature stage. I suspect that this will drink earlier than others, but age in a style only it knows.Drink Date 2026 - 2070