2014 Chateau d'Yquem Sauterne

98 POINTS

Wine Spectator

A stunner, sporting tropical mango and papaya notes that glide along beautifully, while heather honey, pineapple chutney and toasted coconut flavors fill in through the finish. Delivers an amazing mouthfeel that is both creamy and intense, with a pretty inner floral brightness that contrasts with the fruit. Best from 2020 through 2045. 6,665 cases made.

98 POINTS

Roger Voss - Wine Enthusiast

97–99. Barrel Sample. Apricot tones with lively acidity give this rich wine a vein of freshness. Pear and white peach notes offer weight, while a lime backbone brings levity. There is a richness from the botrytis that is lifted by this wines delicious freshness.

98 POINTS

James Suckling

Very subtle Yquem on the nose with dried pineapple, lemons, green apples and hints of botrytis. The palate grabs you by the arms and shows you superb concentration of spices, dried fruit, phenolics and incredible energy. Nothing is like this from Sauternes this vintage! Drink whenever you like. Spellbinding.

97 POINTS

Neal Martin - Vinous

The 2014 Yquem was picked over four tries from 5 September to 30 October, a nine-week picking with 25% of the crop brought in before 25 September to obtain freshness. It has beautifully defined on the nose with dried honey, white peach, almond and chamomile and saffron emerging with time. The palate is beautifully balanced with fine acidity, lively and energetic, building wonderfully in the mouth with great sapidity on the finish. What a bloomin’ gorgeous Yquem. Tasted at the château.

97 POINTS

Neal Martin - Vinous

The 2014 Yquem has a complex bouquet with buttered toast, almond, honey and peach skin aromas. It opens with greater zeal than its peers, there is more immediacy here. The palate is very well balanced with crisp acidity, a finely tuned and satisfying Sauternes with style and grace, evincing great tension and mineral drive towards the finish. Superb. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

96 POINTS

James Lawther MW - Decanter Magazine

Lively, pure and fresh aromas, pear and citrus notes. So rich and concentrated on the palate but with a flare of acidity that provides tension and draws the wine out on the finish.

95 POINTS

Antonio Galloni MW - Vinous

The 2014 Yquem is a wine of restraint above all else. Candied lemon, orange peel, apricot jam, graphite and almond are some of the many threads in a rich fabric that envelops all the senses. A wine of contrasts, the 2014 is at times delicate, while in other moments it is more powerful. Although striking, the 2014 falls just short of being profound. In exchange, readers will find an Yquem that will give up its charms on the earlier side.

Jancis Robinson MW

RS 134 g/l. Tasted blind. Rather light nose but fabulous excitement underneath. Such tension and depth of detail. Very broad and nervy. Score: 18/20