| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Sauternes and Barsac |
| Colour | Sweet White |
| Type | Still |
There was only one way to finish: by switching over to Sauternes for the 2007 d'Yquem. This is a vintage I have tasted several times. Lucid amber in color, it has a reticent nose at first, though it blossoms with aeration to reveal captivating aromas of mirabelle, dried honey and beeswax. A subtle adhesive scent loiters backstage. The palate is medium-bodied with vanilla pod and almond on the entry, and very tensile with a seductive viscosity toward the close. Touches of nougat and white chocolate lace the finish of one of the finest Yquems of this decade. Glorious to drink now and doubtless glorious to drink in 50 years’ time!
The 2007 d'Yquem is considered a perfect example of the Sauternes "miracle." Despite a chaotic spring and cool summer, the botrytis transformed the grapes, giving them ideal concentration throughout October. With 137 grams of residual sugar, it offers up a complex, fresh, enchanting bouquet with aromas of apricot, pineapple, saffron, orchard fruits and spices intertwined with a touch of white truffles. Full-bodied and concentrated, layered and seamless, the wine is fresh and tense on the mid-palate, with a long, penetrating and racy finish. Superb! 2023 - 2065
This is amazing. Full of spicy botrytis character, with smoke and piecrust underneath. Full and rich, yet not cloying or too dense. It's lively and long, finishing with intensity and powerl. A unnerving combination of wild ripe fruit and intense botrytis, with lively acidity. Really powerful. Should be a perfect wine. 97-100
Deep golden with an orange tinge. Very tangy. And thick. At the same time. Massive weight! Extraordinary fullness. An edge of something a bit corrective - almost bitter. Very big and hits you between eyeballs. Citrus pith. Needs to settle down and become more gentle. Big and round. Almost over the top. So rich!!!!! But definite bitterness on the finish. Winemaker Sandrine Garbay, who has been there an incredible 14 years, thinks the 2001 has more finesse. I agree
(14% alcohol with 140 g/l r.s.; 70% semillon and 30% sauvignon blanc) Pale gold. Knockout nose of mirabelle, pineapple, spices and honey. Dense and thick but with racy acidity leavening the wine's liqueur-like flavors of peach, apricot and pineapple and imbuing it with superb energy. With aeration, this showed captivating notes of vanilla, toast and fresh and exotic herbs, plus a saline aspect on the very long finish. Still an infant, but already boasts terrific cut and purity of fruit. Director Pierre Lurton was thrilled to have a large quantity of wine at this high level of quality.
The nose is floral with behind the fragrance a complex mix of pineapple and lime blended in with candied orange peel. It is rich, voluptuously lush but not over heavy as there is a racy lime freshness that lifts and brightens the fruit. Layers of flavour add to the complexity and this wonderful mix of different fruits is there on the long fragrant finish.
Very aromatic and unctuous with a lovely point of freshness coming through at the end. On the palate there is a great concentration and richness (130g residual sugar in this sample). Very unctuous yet complex and fresh. A touch of alcohol shows through on the finish but these are early days and this is only a marker for the finished article. This will be one of the great Yquem vintages, though on the day Climens was even more impressive. 5 stars.
Tasted single blind against its peers. Under blind conditions, the Yquem 2007 shines like a diamond. Nevertheless, it is initially rather taciturn on the nose, eventually opening up beautifully with touches of lemon curd, Mirabelle, and clear honey. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine definition and there seems to be a great deal of energy and vigor dispensed for your pleasure. There is such race and nervosity, and then that finish just purrs with harmony and focus. This Yquem feels just so alive and vivacious, yet there is an effortless quality here that is unmatched by its peers.
The Yquem 2007 sports a clear gold hue with youthful green tints. The nose is very pure, understated at first, unfurling with aeration in the glass, offering honey, acacia, Mirabelle and a hint of apple blossom. The palate has a viscous entry, very pure with honey, white peach, fresh pear, lemon and orange zest, a tangible sense of vibrancy and vigour. Not a powerful Yquem, but one of incisive focus and nervosite, very pure botrytis, adorned with an almost tense zesty finish that succinctly counterpoises the residual sugar. This is an outstanding Yquem, surpassed only by the 2001 during this decade. Drink 2012-2050.
A sample blend excluding the 7th passage (80% of the blending). The Yquem '07 was cropped at 18hl/ha, reportedly similar to the 1967 in the middle of the harvest and 188 towards the later picking. This has a very concentrated nose although it is less showy at the moment. But there is tremendous power here, touches of marmalade, honey, peach and orange zest. Superb delineation. The palate is striking but its sense of urgency and nervosité, real vibrancy in the mouth even at this early stage. Pure clear honey, a touch of spice, orange cut marmalade and supreme focus on the almost Zen-like finish that will be bolstered with the later tries are added. Lovely touch of quince paste and dried lychee on the finish, which has 130gms/L residual. Superb Yquem, though not in the class of the '01. Drink 2012-2050. Tasted April 2008
