Yquem 1976

The Yquem 1976 (100 points; last tasted 12/02) is an Yquem on a relatively fast track for this property. It seems to be close to full maturity, and remains a very powerful, thick, viscous Yquem with notes of honeyed tropical fruits, spice box, crème brulée, smoke, and orange marmalade. The wine is viscous, rich, and an amazingly great Yquem. Among the vintages of the last 30 years, this is perhaps the most complex and ready to drink of the great years for Yquem. It should continue to evolve and last for another 50 or more years.

The 1976 Yquem was picked over 22 days until 13 October over just two tries through the vines. Tasted here alongside the 1975, I feel that it is now just lagging a couple of steps behind. The nose offers lovely barley sugar, dried pineapple and saffron scents, as noted before, just a hint of caffé latte, here mixed with white mushroom. The palate is well balanced and displays fine concentration, orange rind and mango notes to the fore and still with that welcome tang of Seville orange marmalade on the finish. Quite saline. Wonderful. Tasted at La Trompette in London. 2022-2055

Dark copper. Hint of molasses on the nose - very luscious - though there is very nice balancing acidity and creamy, slightly burnt texture. Just starting to take on a rather drier aspect than in its youth but still giving lots of pleasure.Drink 1986-2002Date tasted 13th Feb 08

The 1976 Yquem continues to go from strength to strength. Who can ignore the awesome bouquet of spices, honeyed fruit, pineapples, bananas, coconuts, and overripe melons? This full-bodied, viscous, luscious wine has been absolutely delicious since bottling, given its relatively low acidity and precocious personality. It is one of the few true great vintages of Yquem that can actually be drunk with tremendous pleasure at such a young age. Eighty percent of the harvest made it into the final wine. Anticipated maturity: Now-2025. Last tasted, 12/90.