2017 Yquem

The 2017 Yquem is destined to be one of my favourite recent vintages. It has brilliant delineation on the nose with acacia honey, saffron, white flowers and a subtle crushed stone element. So much energy is palpable. The palate is supremely well balanced, surfeit with energy, spicy and feisty and yet paradoxically beautifully controlled and pixelated towards the extended finish. It’s not unlike the brilliant 2014 in style. Tasted at the château.

Tasted blind.  Pale gold. Subtle, refined nose. Wonderful intensity and superb balance on the palate. The sweetness is matched by grip and subtly savoury spices. There is plenty of botrytis, but its earthy complexity is woven superbly into the wine. There is great potential here. (TP)

Clearly one of the great vintages of d'Yquem of all time, this stunner is off the hook from the initial sniff. Roasted apricots, overripe pineapple, vanilla, mango, marzipan and creme caramel all topped with honey keeps you focused on the wine. If that isn't enough when the wine crosses your palate, the weight, volume, intensity and richness discovered in the layers of honey-slathered tropical fruits, vanilla and apricot. What makes everything work is the razors edge of acidity that gives the wine the necessary lift. Like all great wines, you can enjoy this young, but if you have the patience, or young children to gift this to, this will be markedly better in 20 or more years.