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

The 2001 Yquem has a pale to medium gold color. The nose is a little closed to begin, slowly emerging with a complex array of notes of mango preserves, baked peaches, saffron, salted almonds, and candied ginger, followed by wafts of jasmine, honeycomb, and crème caramel. The palate is super-sweet, concentrated, and multi-layered, delivering wave after wave of opulent stone and tropical fruit flavors, supported by amazing tension and a satiny texture, finishing with epic length and lingering mineral notes. This is a wine I've tasted many times and it has never been less than the epitome of a Sauternes experience that is as cerebral as it is hedonic. The residual sugar is 150 grams per liter, which is on the high side, yet, incredibly, it wears this richness with such energy.

The 2001 Château d’Yquem at 20 years old: a legend? It certainly received much adulation on release. As a reminder, it was picked over five tries from September 18 to October 23 and has 150g/L of residual sugar. Limpid gold in color, as you would expect, it looks quite youthful for a Sauternes of this vintage. The intense, well-defined bouquet features dried honey, beeswax, quince and touches of Seville orange marmalade. The palate is beautifully balanced, powerful and extraordinarily harmonious, delivering layers of botrytized fruit. There is a crescendo toward the finish of compelling white peach and quince mixed with apricot, becoming spicier with aeration and revealing hints of crème caramel in the background. Absolutely regal. 13.6% alcohol.