1999 Château d'Yquem

Deep amber. Very creamy and sweet with tangy barley sugar notes. Fresh and remarkably lively in 2022 for a wine that was perceived as very forward. (JR)

The 1999 Yquem is a wine I’ve tasted several times in recent months since it is available by the glass in a local restaurant. It’s a middle-of-the-road Yquem, a fine Sauternes but nothing special. The aromatics always feel a little advanced for the wine’s age, offering tangerine, mandarin and light butterscotch scents but perhaps just missing the clarity and complexity of top vintages. The palate has pleasing viscosity and is spicier than expected, with touches of ginger complementing the orange peel and dried apricot notes toward the conservative finish. Tasted at The Jetty restaurant.

And finally a particularly forward vintage of this superlative wine which showed all the richness and concentration that Yquem can muster even if not much nerve or tension. It stood up beautifully to the Roquefort served with it, cleverly and successfully sandwiched in sweet apple slices. This vintage was not featured in the recent Los Angelese Yquem vertical reported on here . (JR)