Tasting Note:
After an uncharacteristically straight forward journey to Yquem, we were greeted by President, Pierre Lurton and winemaker, Sandrine Garbay. 87% Semillon 13% Sauvignon Blanc harvested at 13.55° of potential alcohol and fermented with 141g/l of residual sugar. The crop equalled the record high (in 2009), yields averaged 22hl/h, but 40% will be downgraded. Harvest started on 20th September and finished on the 29th of October after 6 tries. The bulk of the crop was harvested between the 14th and 24th of October with a record daily harvest being recorded on the 22nd. The wine itself has been likened to the 88. We found it to be a lighter style of Yquem with wonderful purity, elegance, precision, detail and freshness. It's not a blockbuster like the01, 07 and09; this is very fine and exquisitely balanced with notes of butterscotch, honeysuckle, lemon zest, orange blossom, peaches, apricots, acacia and mineral notes. This is an Yquem built on intense fruit, delicate sweetness, clarity and wonderful balance, helped by the low pH (3.8). Very feminine.