Château d'Yquem, 1er Grand Cru Classé, Sauternes, 2019

Tasting Note:

Yquem 2019 was the result of just two tries of picking – a necessarily rapid and intense harvest that saw the entire vintage picked in just 5 days, from the 10th to the 14th October. After a challenging season where early disease pressure was followed by drought like conditions (except one downpour in July) production is down by almost 30%. Furthermore, at 45% of the blend, there has never been so much Sauvignon Blanc in the final assemblage. Now released only when in bottle, the 2019 received four extra months elevage as the team sought to optimise the expression of the vintage. And they appear to have done a wonderful job – intense tarte tatin and roasted pineapple aromas are swiftly followed by spiced apples, cloves and white flowers. On the palate it is rich and unctuous, yet also quite structured with a good bite of dry extract. It is also surprisingly expressive and engaging at this early stage; it caresses and grabs the palate with caramelised pineapple and baked apple notes before a long finish of fresh quince, baked apricot and honeycomb.