Wine Notes
Golden amber in colour and sweet botrytis on the nose yet the 1996 vintage is still surprisingly fresh. As with most Yquem it will be delicious now and in 20 years’ time.
Producer Notes
Almost certainly the best sweet white wine in the world; probably the best white wine in the world; really expensive to produce and relatively cheap to buy given all that.
The wine will last forever so don’t be even slightly afraid of old vintages. As is often the case, the best value is probably to be found in the 80s.
The blend is 80% semillon and 20% sauvignon blanc.
There is also a dry white wine produced in the chateau called ‘Y’ de Chateau d’Yquem. To avoid snearing wine merchants looking down their noses at you, it’s wise to pronounced the ‘Y’ as ‘eegreck’
Vintage Notes
1996 was a good vintage in Sauternes
1996 was a very good, long-lasting vintage in Bordeaux
Other vintages of Chateau d’Yquem
1988 (in Magnum): £1100
1989: £405
2001: £640
2001 (in Half bottle): £340
2002 (in Half bottle): £210
2003 (in Half bottle): £165
2004 (in Half bottle): £270
2009 (in Half bottle): £295
2013 (in Half bottle): £175
Our rating –