Yquem 2003

Ex-chateau bottle tasted at the property. The 2003 Yquem was picked from 17th September after an explosion of botrytis until 26th September in one trie. It has a textbook, limpid silvery/golden hue. The nose is very seductive with lifted scents of dried honey, almond, hazelnut and just a faint hint of creme caramel all with fine delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with a refined opening. That trait of creme caramel is there loitering like a truant schoolboy in the background, but then it moves into the mid-palate and really shows its class: wonderful delineation and poise, perfect acidity and an almost pixilated finish. There is just a touch of alcohol on the aftertaste although you have to have a very sensitive palate to feel it. This is a lovely Yquem, though I would not place it within the first tier. Drink now-2030+

Intense aromas of pineapple, honey, vanilla and apple pie. Full-bodied, with rich fruit that gives a cream, pineapple and honey character, yet the wine is compacted and reserved. Long and lively. This has more of a kick at the end compared with the 2001, but the 2001 has the edge still with its racy acidity. Who knows? Could be another 100-pointer; could even be better than the 2001.

The 2003 Yquem is a superb young wine, showing the richness and power one would expect from such an illustrious name. I scored it 95-100 points on Wine Spectator's 100-point scale, or potentially classic. The young sweetie is pale gold in colour, with intense aromars of spice, honey, dried apricots and botrytis. It was thick and powerful with loads of sweet fruit on the palate, and the finish lasted for minutes. Yet there was a subtle reserve to the wine, suggesting great structure for long-term aging.