Yquem’s lofty position in the appellation of Sauternes protected all but the edges of the estate from the ravages of the great frosts of April 2017. Tasting the 2017 Yquem a couple of weeks ago with Jean-Philippe Lemoine was an absolute joy. It is in a sense something of a contradiction. A precocious, hugely powerful, enormously concentrated vintage on paper, yet in the glass, this is sheer class: subtle, refined, delicate, controlled – not something that is easy to marry with a crop that hit 25% potential alcohols. This is due in no small part to the magic of this terroir, selection and a little alchemy in the winery.
Overall, the summer of 2017 ranked as the fourth hottest since 1897. From May, a sustained period of warm weather set in with periodic showers. These conditions prompted vigorous vine growth and advanced the vines’ cycle. By mid-June vines were a month ahead of the norm. Analysis at the beginning of August showed that the grapes had impressive potential alcohols (Sémillon 12.6% and Sauvignon Blanc 13.6-14°) and high acidities (8.5 grams per litre).
Read MoreSome light showers in the first half of September kick-started the botrytis. Then a long anticyclone phase followed, which dried and concentrated the grapes. This happened rapidly and the team found themselves in a race against time to harvest before sugar levels became too high. Jean-Philippe told us that if they could have picked everything in one day they would have. Instead, they had to prioritise the best parcels, discarding some 30% of the crop. The result is an irresistible Yquem with a magnificent bouquet at once detailed and multifaceted: acacia honey, citrus, lime leaf and yellow peach aromas abound. On the palate clementine, honey, toffee and ripe apricot flavours flood the senses, a driving force bound together by rich intensity. There’s such glorious sweetness and concentration on display. Mouthcoating, mellifluous, liquid joy. 14.00% Vol. - Residual sugars: 148 g/L - Total acidity: 5.6 g/L H2T – pH: 3.80 - Sémillon 75% - Sauvignon 25%
Yquem may have been spared the frost in 2017, however, they weren’t so fortunate in 2018. A violent hailstorm in mid-July destroyed roughly 20 hectares of production. As a result “Y” 2018 is half the size of a normal crop. Produced from a blend of 75% Sauvignon Blanc and 25% Sémillon, this is brimming with citrus, grapefruit and peachy notes. The palate possesses a beautiful waxy texture; delicate ripe fruits mingle with stones and white pepper. As always there is a glorious acidity and salinity that makes this wine so moreish.
If you would like to place an order, please contact your account manager or follow the links below. These releases will be shipped in November/December 2019.