Yquem 1928

The 1928 Yquem is an astonishing wine that I had only tasted once before in Hong Kong. This bottle affirmed the 1928 as one amongst the canon of legendary wines from this historic estate. Deep and refulgent in colour, the bouquet explodes from the glass with a kaleidoscope of aromas: fresh fig, Medjool dates, blood orange and nougat. Like the previous bottle, there is a slight adhesive-like scents although here I find it less pronounced. The palate displays exquisite balance with a perfect bead of acidity that slices through the viscous honeyed fruit. It fans out on the finish with orange pith and mandarin notes, enormously long with a sense of energy and precision on the finish that beggers belief. Astonishing. Tasted at a private dinner in London.

The 1928 Château d'Yquem was generously opened at a dinner in the Far East, this bottle purchased ex-château as indicated by the back label. Deep amber in color, the bouquet has amazing precision and intensity, a smorgasbord of scents such as mandarin, dried fig, nougat and a touch of adhesive (a common trait in old Sauternes and one that I quite enjoy). The palate is beautifully balanced with a killer line of acidity, layers of candied orange peel, mandarin, orange rind and botrytis. Whilst it does not contain the sheer power and flamboyance of the sensational 1929 d'Yquem, it does offer stunning persistence in the mouth. After 88 years, this Sauternes shows absolutely no sign of diminishing and it is bound to reach its century with style. Just fabulous. Tasted November 2016.