Sweets & Fortifieds and Additional Finds
Timed Online Auction, 28 May - 10 June 2024
Sweets
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About this Item
Château d`Yquem, often described as the greatest sweet wine in the world and the only Sauternes First Growth of Bordeaux. Few wines in the world have produced consistently noble quality for more than 4 centuries.
Established in 1593, the property consists of a 110-hectare vineyard planted with 80% Semillon and 20% Sauvignon Blanc. The wines are created from botrytized fruit that is picked by hand in several passes ‘tiers’ by up to 150 harvesters. Château d'Yquem is the product of meticulous work in the vineyard, along with the estate’s exceptional terroir, and centuries of inherited knowledge since 1593, it has gained the reputation of the world’s finest sweet wine.
In the Bordeaux Classification of 1855, Château d'Yquem was given the unique and unsurpassable rank of Premier Cru Supérieur, ahead of all other Sauternes, indicating its perceived superiority and ability to command by far the highest prices. The wines of Château d'Yquem are characterised by their complexity, concentration and longevity. In a good year, a bottle will only begin to show its qualities after a decade or two of cellaring and with proper care, will keep for a century or more, gradually adding layers of complexity.
Very classic vintage. Warm year with a very wet spring. Good weather lasted to the end of the harvest, 15 Oct started – very late – and then it was a dream vintage with no rain for 4 weeks. Ended 25 Nov. Very late.
Provenance
Private Client
Critics Ratings
'The 1988 Chateau d'Yquem has long been an insider's favorite over the 1989 and 1990, although at the end of the day, all three form a brilliant triumvirate at the end of the decade. Tasted from a half bottle, it shone with a slightly burnished amber hue. The bouquet is just as I have encountered with previous bottles with scents of marmalade, mandarin, burnt honey and citrus fruit, perhaps a little waxier and resinous than I recall. The palate is medium-bodied with impressive weight, viscous as you would expect, though not as flamboyant as the 1989 or as unctuous as the 1990. It is beautifully balanced with notes of apricot, white chocolate and orange peel towards the harmonious and tensile finish. You can see this cruising along for two or three decades and maybe it will turn more Barsac-like in style? Time will tell - a glorious Yquem however you look at it.' - Neal Martin, Wine Advocate 96/100 (May 2016).
'Dark tawny. The most uintriging nose Glossy and lively and more intellectual than the other two, Extremely long – a hint of ginger and real zest. Certainly seemed the best of these three without a doubt. Very racy and flirtatious – maybe racier than the 1989. Powerful and very very long.' - Jancis Robinson, JancisRobinson.com, 19.5/20 (Feb 2008)
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