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Yquem 2018

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Sauternes and Barsac
ColourSweet White
TypeStill
Grape VarietySauvignon Blanc/Semillon
Also available in the following mixed case:

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Label

Tasting Notes

An extremely polished and refined d’Yquem with lightly cooked peaches and mangos and an overlay of vanilla and cream with some lemon meringue. Orange peel, too. What is striking is the texture, which is creamy and so fine. The tannins give the wine energy and beauty. The finish is extremely long and impressive. So clean and refined. Not heavy at all, but vivid and clean as crystal. Goes on for minutes. Elegance with stature is a good description. Drinkable now, but better in 2023 and onwards.

97
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, March 2021

The 2018 d'Yquem is all lime cordial, grapefruit oil and mandarin peel to begin. With a little coaxing, the fireworks really begin, letting off a whole array of honeysuckle, candied ginger, dried pineapple, lemon pastilles, chalk dust and sea spray scents, followed by a savory undercurrent of shaved almonds, allspice and baking bread. The palate is an exercise in polish and poise, featuring the most gorgeously creamy texture and bright, sparkling freshness, framing all the densely laden tropical and citrus fruit layers, finishing with a powerful BANG of profound floral and spice perfume. It is wonderfully sweet, yes, but that—paradoxically for a "sweet wine"—is almost beside the point.

98
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate (October 20), October 2020

As ever with Yquem, patience was the key, taking in the grapes slowly but surely over 17 days harvest that extended well into October.
The results in the glass are intense and glossy, full of satin-textured apricot and white peach flavours. There are exotic fruits of pineapple and mango but winemaker Sandrine Garbay has kept a focus on fresher flavours of lime zest and citrus that balance out the natural richness and concentration. Pretty closed right now, but there is power and balance here, an excellent Yquem.

97
Jane Anson, Decanter.com, September 2020

The 2018 d'Yquem is a great success despite a challenging harvest, exuding aromas of peach, pear, menthol and orchard fruits, complemented by an elegant, floral-driven bouquet. It’s remarkably balanced and fresh on the palate, with a medium to full-bodied structure, a delicate core of fruit in the finish and a penetrating energy revealing a lovely and already enjoyable wine. It's a great effort in a challenging vintage in Sauternes. This blend of 85% Sémillon and 15% Sauvignon Blanc contains 145 grams of residual sugar.

95
Yohan Castaing, RobertParker.com, October 2023
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.