2016 Chateau Yquem 12000ml

99 POINTS

Stuart Pigott - JamesSuckling.com

A very classic Yquem. Breathtakingly wide spectrum of floral honey, exotic fruit (passion fruit, mango and pineapple), caramel and marzipan aromas. But none of this is a jot too much. In fact, the wine is extremely precise and finely nuanced. Wonderful freshness and textural complexity, in spite of the considerable concentration and extravagance. Very suave and sensual finish that goes on and on.

98 POINTS

Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

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.

98 POINTS

James Suckling

What a sexy and moreish wine that makes you want to drink the whole bottle. Flavors and aromas of cooked apples, grilled pineapple, pie crust, apricots, dried mushrooms and flan. Full-bodied, yet tight and reserved. Very long and powerful. Lasts for minutes. Another great wine. Points: 98-99

98 POINTS

Bettane & Desseauve

La propriété a construit son assemblage surtout à partir des tries du milieu de vendanges, si étonnantes par leur côté aérien, et a une fois de plus réussi à allier puissance, pureté et buvabilité à un niveau unique dans le sauternais. Il y aura un peu plus de puissance dans le 2015. Les 25 % de sauvignon contribue à la fraîcheur des arômes.

97 POINTS

Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar Insider

Fat, sweet, tropical fruits, apricots and Mandarin oranges slathered in honey, vanilla and flowers. This is quite rich, Powerful and concentrated. It has more freshness than the 2003, but not as much freshness as you find in 2013. Still, this is complex, deep, log and intense, yet remarkably light on its feet. This will age much longer than I will.

97 POINTS

Jane Anson - Decanter

Despite a rich botrytis character, this balances impact with delicacy. Clear citrus on the nose with a hint of flint and smoke, allowing the soft white flowers and lime blossom to steal up on you slowly. There are caramel notes through the mid-palate and great persistency, as ever. Extremely elegant. This was the driest summer since 1898, and the harvest at Yquem lasted a full two months, from 4th September (for the dry white Y d'Yquem) through to 4th November for the final selection of botrytis berries. The final yield is 20hl/ha, the highest in recent years against their average of 9hl/ha, with 40% going into the grand vin compared to 50% last year. 135g/l residual sugar and 3.9pH. 75% Sémillon and 25% Sauvignon Blanc. The 2015 will be released this September.

96 POINTS

Neal Martin - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The 2016 Château d'Yquem was picked over four tries through the vineyard, commencing on 27 September and finishing on 4 November. The crucial pass through the vines took place between 18-22 October when over half the crop was picked. In fact, 75% of the crop was picked during the final two weeks of the harvest. It has 14.2% alcohol and a residual sugar level of 135 grams per liter, a pH of 3.80. A classic blend of 75% Sémillon and 25% Sauvignon Blanc, it has a comparatively nuanced bouquet compared to Yquems that I have encountered at this stage. It opens gradually with light honeyed aromas, white flowers, apple blossom and just a touch of honeysuckle, although it does not possess the bravura personality of the astounding 2015. The palate is medium-bodied with a viscous opening, a subtle spice note leaving the mouth tingling. This is a fresh Yquem, tensile with moderate weight and delivering, perhaps belatedly, fine attack on the finish lined with subtle lemongrass notes. It will be interesting to plot the progress of this Yquem throughout its barrel maturation. This is an excellent Yquem no doubt, though I was missing that nerve, the labyrinthine complexity that can mark a top-tier Yquem even at this premature stage. I suspect that this will drink earlier than others, but age in(more...)

96 POINTS

Jacques Perrin - Vinifera

Le nez est fin, nuancé, très hespéridé, sur les agrumes, avec des notes florales et fruitées très pures. D’un superbe Equilibre de bouche, il offre une silhouette fuselée, très pure, avec un côté aérien dans la texture. Finale très civilisée, sans une once de lourdeur, mais avec, par rapport à l’an dernier où il avait atteint des sommets, une complexité plus limitée. C’est très bon, avec même un caractère immédiat, évident, d’une pureté totalement irrésistible.