Chateau d'Yquem - Vertical Case 2010-2013-2016 (375ml 3 pack)

2010: 98WA Pale to medium lemon-gold color the 2010 d'Yquem has retreated into its shell at this youthful stage offering spritely suggestions of lemon curd lime cordial and green mango with wafts of honeysuckle spice cake sea spray and beeswax plus a hint of gingerbread. The palate really comes through with super intense tightly wound citrus savory and mineral layers carried by a laser-precise backbone of freshness finishing with crazy persistence that lingers a full three minutes and then some. This is going to be a very exotic opulent Yquem! 2013: 95-97WA Firstly you notice the color which is a touch deeper than recent vintages at this stage. The bouquet is quite honeyed and rich for Yquem at this early juncture with subtle scents of peach skin white flowers and a puff of chalk and frangipane. The palate is viscous on the entry all about the texture at first coating the mouth with luscious botrytized fruit. There are touches of Seville orange marmalade fresh apricot a hint of spice and passion fruit. This is imbued with impressive depth and weight perhaps an Yquem that is determined to make an impression after last year-s absence. It might not possess the finesse of a top flight Yquem but it has immense power and persistency. 2016: 98+WA Containing 135 grams per liter of residual sugar the pale lemon-gold colored 2016 d'Yquem leaps from the glass with honeyed apricots pineapple green mango crushed rocks candied ginger coriander seed and citrus peel with hints of orange blossom. The palate is very tightly wound vibrant and refreshing with layer upon layer of minerals and spices finishing with epic poise and persistence.

2010: 97WS A pure racy floral style with bright white peach heather and honeysuckle notes driving along. The core of fresh orchard fruit is unctuous the finish long and lacy with marvelous cut and finesse. This shows the balance and elegance of a cooler year with a longer harvest period.?Non-blind Yquem vertical (July 2014). Best from 2015 through 2045. 8334 cases made. 2013: 98WS Lightly toasted marshmallow and macadamia nut aromas lead the way followed by incredibly juicy mirabelle plum green fig and glazed pear and peach flavors. As big as this is there are still plenty of honeysuckle quinine and chamomile notes kicking the finish into yet another gear. This has purity and length to burn with decades more to go. Best from 2020 through 2050. 6665 cases made. 2016: 94WS This is exotic with very lush and seductive notes of coconut honeysuckle creamed white peach glazed pear mirabelle plum and yellow apple all woven together seamlessly. Beautifully caressing in feel with a long acacia echo on the finish. Best from 2023 through 2040.

2010: 96+VM Deep yellow with a golden tinge. Intense aromas of very ripe tropical fruit beeswax honey and raisin are lifted by a strong mineral edge. Very fresh rich and sweet on entry then extremely light on its feet with refined flavors of ripe citrus mango papaya honey and saffron complicated by tangy botrytis. A very bright and focused Yquem with lively acidity and a long smooth floral finish. Boasts impeccable balance and lovely precision. This terrific Yquem is very stylish but less massively opulent than vintages like 1989 and 1983. - By Ian D'Agata on August 2011 2013: 94+VM (70% semillon and 30% sauvignon blanc; 13.1% alcohol and 140 g/l residual sugar; total acidity of almost 6 g/l): Luminous medium yellow-gold. Almost Germanic in its perfumed bright aromas of tangerine grapefruit peach lemon lichee and ginger. Lush but very fresh with bracing limey acidity giving sharp definition to the complex flavors of honey ginger green fig yellow melon and peach. The brisk harmonious acidity really cleanses the palate and makes this one of the most immediately appealing (almost too easy to drink!) Yquems in memory. The finish is extremely long and vibrant. This is a much less massive opulent Yquem than usual but is extremely graceful and refined. The product of four different tries performed from September 25 to October 24 but only 40% of the total volume made it into Yquem. As much as I liked this wine I think it's a little too dominated by the sauvignon blanc (only the 2004 at 35% of the total had more sauvignon blanc among Yquem's most recent vintages). Winemaker Sandrine Garbay told me using more sauvignon was unavoidable in 2013 because the last semillons harvested in the third and fourth tries were opulent but simple and a little bitter so she included less of the variety than usual. - By Ian D'Agata on May 2014 2016: 95VM 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. - By Neal Martin on February 2022