Château d'Yquem, 1er Grand Cru Classé, Sauternes, 2011
Harvesting at Yquem began earlier than ever before, the initial “trie” starting on the 6th and 7th September. The harvest proper began on the 12th and finished on the 5th October. In this crucial period noble rot blossomed and flourished, with 4 successive “tries” during this time that produced the fruit for the final Yquem blend. Analytically YQuem 2011 is a measure of balance, 144g/litre of residual sugar, 13.5 alc and 6g/l of tartaric acidity, but it is obviously the taste that really counts and it does not disappoint. An intense honeyed apricot nose, powerful and complex but not heavy or dense, wonderfully lifting flavours of fresh citrus, flowers, wild fruit blossom honey, hints of lemon rind, pineapple, fresh apricots and faint liquorice touches. A glorious wine that is long, intense yet light on its feet with a vital, echoing finish. A great Yquem of balance, beauty and seduction.
critic reviews
A blend of 80% Semillon and 20% Sauvignon Blanc, with 141 grams per liter of residual sugar, the 2011 Yquem, is pale to medium straw-gold in color. It needs a little coaxing to bring out notes of lemon tart, lime blossoms, chalk dust, and jasmine, leading to hints of shaved ginger and yuzu zest. The palate shimmers with intense citrus and mineral layers, framed by a racy backbone and a gorgeous satiny texture, finishing on a lingering ginger tea note.
The 2011 Yquem was picked over four tries from 6 September, the earliest for 125 years until 5 October. Slightly paler in colour compared to the 2001 alongside, it has a well defined and slightly Germanic bouquet with that petrol note still present, allied with peach and apricot, honeysuckle and desiccated orange peel. The palate is fresh and vibrant with crisp acidity, a slight waxy texture, mango and quince laced with a touch of lemongrass towards the refined and quite approachable finish. What a pretty Yquem the 2011 is turning into.