Yquem 2005

The 2005 d'Yquem has 141 g/L of residual sugar and an alcohol of 13.3%. Medium straw-gold color, it sashays out with vivacious, spritely candied peel, honeyed lemon, and grapefruit oil scents, leading to hints of dried apricots, toasted almonds, allspice, chamomile, and creme caramel. Full-bodied and full-on unctuous, it has a lively backbone injecting energy to all that richness and a decadently spicy finish that just won't quit. No one would blame you for wanting to drink this now - it's so tantalizingly good - but if you can cellar this a further 5-7 years, your patience will be rewarded with layers beyond your wildest dreams. It should keep until 2065 and beyond.

Tasted blind. Very evolved nose. Lots of sweetness but not much complexity. This did not stand out for any of us blind tasters. A bottle problem?Drink 2015-2025

This has a deliciously pure feel, with juicy, inviting green plum, ginger, heather, creamed pineapple and Jonagold apple flavors all melded together and gliding through the lengthy finish, which echoes with lilting flowers and dried citrus notes. Best from 2015 through 2045. 12,000 cases made

Once again, first among firsts. The bouquet highlights the great concentration and sheer beauty and purity of the fruit. The wine has enormous length and opulence with exceptional succulence. Tropical, (especially pineapple) fruit aromas and flavours. All this enlivened with a lovely freshness - simply 'hors classe'. 5 Stars

Tasted at the château, the 2005 Chateau d’Yquem delivers a similar performance as last year. Lucid in colour, the bouquet is detailed with very pure honey, vanilla and almond scents, still a little new oak to be fully assimilated but demonstrating superb focus. The palate is virtually identical to last year's bottle: exquisite balance and perfectly judged acidity, but perhaps just gaining a little richness and viscosity over the last 12 months. There is an appealing completeness to this Yquem and whilst I would not place it amongst the likes of 2001 or 2009, it comfortably sits just behind. Drink 2020-2050.

Served from an ex-chateau bottle. The 2005 Chateau d'Yquem is similar to the 2006 in that it deserves aeration. The bouquet is well-defined, although there is clearly some new oak that will need another two or three years to fully integrate. The aromatics seem to show a little more botrytis than the 2006, richer and headier. The palate is unctuous on the entry, beautifully balanced and lacquers the mouth in pure honeyed fruit interlaced with white pepper, quince jus and nectarine. Comparing the two, the 2006 has a little more tension and race, although the 2005 has a touch more persistency. The 2006 may well turn out to be the better of the two vintages in the long run (hence the plus sign), although the 1995 [sic - should read 2005] is a Yquem with panache to spare. Drink now-2040. Tasted March 2014.

Floral, lemon, apple and cream with dried pineapple and apricot. Full-bodied, but very focused and refined. It starts slowly and then, wham! It goes on and on. Spicy, dried fruits and spices. Full-bodied, medium-sweet. So long and exciting. Incredible. It is very close to 2001. We will see.

Yield of 12 hl/ha – almost record high levels! Quite deep gold. Wonderfully deep nose – never smelt anything as intense and glorious as this! Extraordinary!!! Deep yet lively. Exciting depth of pear juice and zest – tangerine peel too. Great astringency. 2001 was more concentrated. This is more transparent. Lovely dancing stuff, but already in the super-nuanced Yquem idiom. Lighter than some vintages but with great lacy complexity. Wonderful green, lively notes and some real explosiveness – 13.5 per cent. Energy drink! Coiled like a taut spring. Drink 2015-50