Outside of 2001, what vintages in the last 20 years are drinking well, showing well, right now?
Headed to a weekend getaway with some very close friends, all of whom love Sauternes, but I’m not sure any of them have ever had the emotional experience of drinking a D’Yquem.
Of course Yquem improves with age. But it’s fun to drink young. There is no vintage of Yquem over the last 20 years I would not want to drink now. If you’re seeking the better recent vintages, 83, 86, 88, 89, 90, 97, 01, 03 & 07 are all great.
The 03 is very young but phenomenal now. I actually thought it is showing better than the 01, which I think is a bit closed down right now. I don’t have much experience with decades old Yquem, but I see no reason that 03 won’t end up being at least excellent if not superb at maturity. Yes, the 03 vintage as a whole was hot and better young, but the 03 Yquem specifically is wonderfully balanced with great acid.
This was the first Yquem that I ever tried. I got just a few sips at a K&L tasting in May 2010. With the caveat that I had no frame of reference for Yquem at that time and that I had a very small quantity, my notes tell me that it was excellent. Overall, I think it showed particular strength with its botrytis spice and apricot marmalade flavors. Slight weakness in the acidity; I think it could have used a bit more. That said, the pricing for the 96 is often good compared to good vintages from the late 80s or 2000s, so I would recommend trying it at least once. (Hopefully I will get to spend more time with it again in the future as well.)
Had a half of the 1996 about a month or so ago, and it was drinking beautifully; it still had several years of further development ahead, but I wouldn’t hesitate to enjoy it now.
Makes sense. For some reason I just assume that you’ve tasted everything coming out of bordeaux. I’ve never tasted it either, and I haven’t heard anyone talking about the 05 first-hand. I’ve tried the 75, 89, 96, 97, 01, and 03, mostly through generous friends at various events and tastings over the past 2-3 years. All were stellar, though I think 03 is the bargain of the bunch. I think the pricing got out of hand after 04, so I was curious about whether the 05 and 07 justify their new pricing floors more than the vintages that came before it. Some people talk of a shift in Yquem’s style after 03, but I’ve never tried the newer vintages and so cannot comment on that.
I haven’t had it recently. I thought it was very flashy and opulent when it was young, did not show much acidity to me then, especially compared to 01 and 97.
Most of the Yquem’s I taste are opened at dinners. I seldom taste it in Bordeaux. We agree, starting in 2005, prices jumped to match what was taking place with the other First Growths. IMO, the demand is not there to support the price. I have not heard of a stylistic shift at Yquem. Where did you read that?
As for 2003, you’re right, it offers the best deal for Yquem. It’s aging well and the wine is no longer flabby or cloying.
If I remember correctly, I think I had read that discussion of a stylistic shift in Yquem on vinocellar about 6 months ago, but I couldn’t easily find it with a search. They had mentioned that it was being made in a somewhat lighter style?
Late last year I had 2005, 2003, 2001, 1997, 1988 1986, 1983, 1976, 1975 Yquem at a dinner. In order of preference I would say 2001, 1988, and then a toss up between 1986, 1983, and 1997. For what the 1997 is going for now ($130 for a 375ml) that is the best buy, IMHO. I had the 97 again last weekend and it was showing wonderfully with lots of orange peel and apricot, great length and viscosity and even after the wine was gone I kept smelling the glass. I’m really glad I have plenty of the 1997. And as another note, the winemaker at Yquem, Sandrine Garbay, likes the 97 also. But I was served the 1988 at the Chateau…
Had a 1989 tonight. Delicious and perfectly ready to drink. Ripe melon, apricot, honeysuckle, ginger snap. Unctous mouth feel. Long, spicy, mineral finish. Great wine.