Yquem 2001

Just weeks after tasting the 2001 Château d’Yquem at the estate, another bottle was served at a lunch in London and it was perfection. The aromatics are practically identical and likewise the palate, but this bottle, which had been decanted, displays a scintilla more tension, perhaps more "vibrancy" that so effortlessly counterbalances the richness. Irrespective of points, it is simply one of the most magnificent wines of any kind that can pass your lips. 2021 - 2100

The greatest young Yquem I have ever tasted from bottle. Yellow, with a golden hue and an almost green tint. Intense aromas of botrytis, spices and blanched almonds follow through to honey, maple syrup, dried apricot and pineapple. Full-bodied, sweet, thick and powerful, with layers of fruit and a bright, lively finish. Coats the palate yet remains exciting. So balanced and refined, showing the pedigree that only this Sauternes estate can deliver. Best after 2012. 10,000 cases made.

I have had the very good fortune to taste the 2001 d'Yquem perhaps a dozen times since its release and have never been less than absolutely floored by its combination of poise, purity, precision and layer upon intricate, jaw-dropping layer of flavor nuances. It is among a very small clutch of incredible wines that crash through the 100-point ceiling and rocket beyond the stratosphere! A testament to that magic that can be created when an uncommonly great vintage for Sauternes brings out the best of an extraordinary vineyard and is skillfully, sensitively crafted, the 2001 is a true wine rarity that must be tried to be believed.

Pale to medium lemon-gold, the nose is simply WOW—an absolute show-stopper, delivering vibrant, youthful lime cordial, pink grapefruit and lemon meringue pie scents followed up by suggestions of chamomile tea, saffron, cassis and nutmeg plus wafts of marzipan, crushed rocks and beeswax. The palate is beyond-belief intense, offering a myriad of decadent citrus fruit preserves and earthy/mineral-inspired nuances, instilling incredible depth, all punctuated by profound freshness and finishing epically long and exquisitely delicious. The alcohol this vintage is 13.6%, while the residual sugar is a whopping 150 grams per liter, beautifully balanced by a total acidity of 4.5 grams per liter of H2SO4. Obviously, the longer readers are willing to cellar this, the more they will get of that ethereal tertiary complexity/experience. This said, for those who love great Sauternes in its youthful/primary flushes, even at this very early stage in its evolution, the multifaceted 2001 d'Yquem will not disappoint. 2019-2100

Mid gold. Extremely embyronic. Intense and spicy on the nose. Wonderfully big and rich and almost over the top - lots of botrtytis and very very pure honey and pear juice essence. Great freshness - although we jumped from 1934 to 2001, the 2001 is so good that it easily stood up to the jump and didn't seem too callow. Just at the end there's a little note of chewiness. Wonderfully round and sumptuous. Great vivacity.Drink 2015-2050Date tasted 13th Feb 08

For a Château that rarely, if ever, produces a bad wine, Yquem has truly surpassed itself with its 2001. It is quite simply sensational. The nose literally jumps from the glass with dazzling and complex aromas of tropical fruit . The palate is super-concentrated with layer upon layer of tropical fruit, coconut, vanilla and candied spice. Despite the impressive weight and richness, it remains vibrant and effortlessly poised, cut through with citrus acidity of incredible precision. The length is phenomenal......you can still taste it five minutes later. This honestly may be the greatest Yquem ever.

The 2001 Château d'Yquem, already a modern legend, is one of the most impressive wines released this year. Some have already made comparisons to such extraordinary Yquems as the 1967, 1959 and 1921. The sweet white shows incredible balance and power for a young Sauternes, with layers of ripe and very sweet fruit and long, bright acidity on the finish. It's a wine that already gives pleasure but will improve in the cellar for decades to come.