Agreed on the 1955! So unevolved still.
Interestingly, though I agree the 1997 is very good, the Château consider it a relative under-performer, given the potential of the vintage. I believe that’s why they replaced the winemaker and promoted Sandrine Garby to that role in 1998.
When I page through my notes and memory bank, I am (perhaps not surprisingly) closest in view to my Sauternes brother Ashish. I, too, adored the 88 the one time I had it—still not at peak, yet such a glorious wine. My A-1, and only 100 point wine ever for me, was the 2001. The 86, the one time I had it, very strong at the beginning but faded during the night, however an excellent food-matching effort. I have had 3 great bottles of 89 and one ordinary, so the 89 is a good vintage for me. 97 is split between good and haunting. I’ve had the 1975 once. It was very distinctive, yet not super-special—just very good to me. 03 I agree with you, Ashish, it is D’Yquem in that super-rich vintage.
Oldest I’ve tried is a 59, which was a fascinating experience–almost port-like notes creeping in.
Mike
IMO, Yquem takes as long as Port to truly shine. For my palate, I would put the 75 and 01 at the top then 67. I also love the 76, 83, 86, 88, 89, 90, 03 & 05.
For me it’s 83…
I’ve had most of the great vintages of d’Yquem dating back to 1890. 1921 remains on the top of my bucket list wines.
From what I’ve tasted, the vintages at the top of my list are: 1937, 1945, 1975, 2001, 1928, 1955, 1990, 1988 and 1967: Notes on these wines and about 50 vintages in total are here: - Learn about Chateau d'Yquem Sauternes Bordeaux, Complete Guide
I once attended a tasting with well-sourced 62, 67, 71 and 75. The 67 was the class of the night, but the 75 was clearly not fully evolved into maturity. The 71 held its own. The 62 didn’t have quite the fireworks, but it was still lovely.
The 01 was the best young wine I have ever tasted. What little I have I now try to avoid so it can mature. I also love the 83.
Older vintages the 37 and 47 shined when I got to try them.
Just had the 1967 last night: such an powerful, dramatic, even heady wine. I still think I prefer the more precise, integrated 1962. But perhaps I have just gotten very lucky with the bottles of '62 I’ve had.
My favorites (19/20) :
Yquem 1983
Yquem 1988
Yquem 2001
Yquem 2009
75, 76, 67, 90, 83 for me with the caveat that I don’t think I’ve ever tasted the '86.
My summary of this thread is that d’Yquem has made an incredible number of incredible wines.
For me it goes: 75 01 67 86 90
I haven’t had the 88 or 89 yet. The 67 and 86 I had (out of 750s in the last 18 months) seemed to lack the high toned acidity found in the top two vintages.
Here are the Yquem that I have drunk since 2000 :
1861, 1874, 1876 (2), 1888, 1889, 1890 (2), 1891, 1893 (5), 1899 (3), 1900 (3), 1904, 1906 (2), 1908 (2), 1911, 1913, 1916, 1917, 1918, 1919, 1921 (6), 1922, 1923 (2), 1927, 1928 (4), 1929 (5), 1931, 1932, 1933, 1934 (2), 1935 (3), 1936 (4), 1937 (5), 1938, 1939 (2), 1940, 1941 (4), 1942 (3), 1944, 1945 (3), 1946, 1947 (3), 1948 (3), 1949 (8), 1950 (3), 1953 (2), 1954 (3), 1955 (9), 1957, 1958 (2), 1959 (9), 1960 (2), 1961 (9), 1962 (4), 1966 (6), 1967 (14), 1968, 1969 (5), 1970 (6), 1973, 1975 (5), 1976 (8), 1977, 1978 (3), 1979 (2), 1980 (2), 1981 (5), 1982 (4), 1983 (10), 1984 (4), 1985 (7), 1986 (9), 1987 (8), 1988 (21), 1989 (12), 1990 (10), 1991 (8), 1994 (4), 1995 (5), 1996 (9), 1997 (6), 1998 (6), 1999 (6), 2000, 2001 (8), 2002 (4), 2003 (2), 2005, 2007 (3), 2009, 2010, 2011 (2), Total général (352)
It makes 91 vintages.
My best ever is 1861 because by a miracle, it had its original cork, and for such wines, it makes an incredible difference.
The second more emotional Yquem is 1900. I was physically turned by this wine drunk in Chateau d’Yquem with Alexandre de Lur Saluces.
One another physical shock was the 2001 that I drunk at its first presentation. It was so great that I thought that it was the greatest promise for Yquem.
The most archetypal Yquem which represents in one wine all the history of Yquem is the 1893 that I have drunk 6 times. It is the Yquem soul.
Some extremely great Yquem are 1928, 1937, 1945, 1947, 1955, 1959 which represent what Yquem should be. I agree on the fact that 1921 is too big. I drank it 6 times and I must say that the last time it was really the legend, the myth.
For Yquems which are after 1960, I consider them as promises of Yquem but which will develop the complexities of really old Yquems.
1967, 1988, 2001, 2009 are “promises” of Yquem. The only that I would say are lovely to drink are 1983, 1966, 1976, and the light Yquems of years in “7” : 1987, 1997, 2007, light ones but nice ones. (note I do not mention 1975 because i do not remember at this moment. I should read my notes).
I would put an artificial limit with 1960, to say that before 1960 the Yquems are accomplished, and that after 1960, they are still going to develop and reach serenity.
Ah , Francois , I had the 1869 about 2 years ago . Also an original , it came from an old Belgian castle’s cold cellars . Marvelous wine . I am surprised you never had it 
Ah , Francois , I had the 1869 about 2 years ago . Also an original , it came from an old Belgian castle’s cold cellars . Marvelous wine . I am surprised you never had it
If you have an opportunity to one-up Francois, don’t be afraid to post it twice 
While not having the depth of experience of many of the folks here…I’d have to say that for me having never tasted the 1975 I can’t comment on your thoughts. The 1976 was my favorite that I’ve had to date with the 1988 and 1983 not far behind. It could be that the 1976 was my introduction to d’Yquem that skewed my thoughts and experience…but it’s awful nice to see others having had amazing experiences with other vintages that might still be reasonable to obtain. Thanks to all for sharing.
Kirk,
I love the 1976 which has an enormous charm. It is very balanced.
haven’t had a large sample size of Yquem vintages but just don’t see the heraldry. Bitter apricot pit and not enough acidity. Even haven’t liked bottles that had others saying “ooh and ahh.” Pales for me before a TBA or Eiswein. Probably good that I am not chasing it.
Alan,
You talk about something different.
German Rieslings are fantastic but I do not compare them with Yquem.
I have drunk one day a Riesling Spätlese Beeren Auslese 1915 which I found at that moment fabtastic and more subtle than a 1937 Yquem, but I did not decide that Yquem had no interest.
Be sure that I would never blame what you drink.
For me it is the 1990 , as it is the one I have the most of in my cellar.