This is, as advertised, stupendous. My only half bottle, and as I have some fifths in storage, I thought it was worthwhile trying.
One of those wines you stop analyzing, and let the sheer pleasure envelop you. Superb complexity, a finish that continues well beyond the three minute mark, and absolutely seamless perfect balance. It’s certainly ready, but might benefit from a more years. 20/20
Holding on to a half-bottle (thanks to @Ian_A ).
I have opened exactly one bottle, a 375, of Yquem from my cellar in the past 21 years, after a dinner party in 2019. I’ve sold some as well. I just never reach for it. Maybe I’ll make a point of opening a 2001 just for kicks.
I’ve been stocking up on 01 lately as there have been some good prices. I think in the end this still may be the best Sauternes ever made, although the 2023 is supposed to give it a run for its money.
The 15% off sale Thatcher’s had last month goaded me into purchasing more 2001. I’ve yet to open one but every review seems to be glowingly positive. Interested to see if '01 or '09 turns out to be the long-term favorite.
01 is a better vintage than 09, but 09 is also very good and I’ve stocked up on it, there are still some decent deals on 09 lately. 09 Suduiraut is actually the huge overperformer and is very close to as good as 09 Yquem at 1/5 the price.
I’ve had this probably a dozen times from half bottle. It is very variable indeed in this format. My one encounter with the 09 was with a sensational wine of an altogether different class, but of course with everything there are bottles and bottles.
Idk some people have said that but I haven’t found it to be the case. I’ve had the 01 about 10 times in the past year about half from 375, most of the rest from 750 and once from mag and I think it’s drinking head and shoulders above the 09, which I’ve opened about 3 times from 375 and once from 750 lately.
I have a theory that a lot of the variability people find in youngish sauternes stems from the fact that they are often opened at the end of a dinner when eveyrone’s palates are fatigued. Not saying that’s the case with you, @Tom_Blach , just that I personally factor that in when I read notes on unexpressive bottles that “should” have been great.
Unrelated, but has anyone had 96 y’quem recently? I opened it two weekends ago and it really was a bit disappointing…
That could be, we drink a lot of Sauternes, mostly Yquem at not at large wine dinners (we probably go through more Sauternes than most people besides @AAgrawal ). Sometimes we’ll just open bottles by themselves with dessert or no food at all.
I had it last year and it was quite good.
Exactly. So would make sense that you are seeing less variability if palate fatigue is less of an issue.
I had the 01 solo, looking over Gulf of Mexico.
As is the 2001
Agreed, the 2001 Suduiraut is spectacular.
I like the 2001 suduiraut but I think you can make the argument 2001 Rieussec is better and neither approach Yquem. I think in 2009 the suduiraut is clearly 2nd best and very close to as good as Yquem.
Snatched a six pack during this sale as well. Great deal.
When '01 Rieussec is on it’s superior in my experiences, but it’s also more variable. I’ve heard the '21 Suduiraut is uniquely tremendous so I stocked up for my daughter’s birth year. 1 hectoliter per hectare yields according to @Jeff_Leve. Haven’t opened one yet.
