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Yquem 2019 900cl

1er Cru Supérieur Classé | Sauternes | Bordeaux | France
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Évaluations et Scores
98 Vinous
Owners LVMH took the decision to delay the release of the 2019 Yquem until spring 2022. It was tasted with winemaker Sandrine Garbay in London. After the summer drought when Sauternes received just 2.5mm of rain until 26 July, that day saw a 112mm deluge that replenished underground reserves and gave ripening the push it needed. Dry and warm conditions prevailed throughout September when there was no sign of botrytis infection. That was finally provoked by 38mm of rain between 21 and 25 of September, followed by warm clement weather. After minor picking of Sauvignon Blanc on 7 of October, the main harvest began in earnest on 10 October. Pickers worked over the following five days, including Sunday. Time was of the essence because, as forecasts predicted, the weather suddenly changed on 14 of October with 40mm or rain. After that, the picking teams skirted between showers between 17 and 22 of October, though by now the fruit had begun to deteriorate. Therefore, the key aspect of this Yquem is the extremely tight picking window. The final blend contains 138g/L residual sugar, which is slightly less than the previous vintage, with 5.5g/L total acidity and 14.4% alcohol. Tasting the 2019, I noticed that it has a slightly paler hue compared to recent vintages (though I never read too much into the colour of young Sauternes.) For certain, it has a highly-aromatic bouquet that is beguiling in purity, enticing aromas of honeysuckle and saffron, soon joined by camomile, white flowers and orange blossom. It has wonderful delineation and gains intensity with aeration. The palate is supremely well-balanced with fine bead of acidity. Very harmonious and armed with just the right amount of viscosity, this Yquem is surprisingly understated at first but gains presence, offering irresistible flavours of layers of honey, lemongrass, lemon thyme and orange pith. Yquem is so tempting in its youth, but I feel that this vintage will repay those with the nous to cellar for at least a decade.
Producteur
Château d'Yquem
Situé à 55 kilomètres au sud de la ville de Bordeaux, le Château d’Yquem, vieux de quatre cents ans, est une charmante propriété surplombant la vallée de Sauternes avec un panorama à couper le souffle. Ce domaine notoire s’est forgé une réputation mondiale de plus grand vin liquoreux de France. A sa tête pendant plus de deux siècles, la famille de Lur Saluces l’a cédé à LVMH en 1999. Les vignobles s’étendent sur plus de 100 hectares, baignés de soleil mais aussi de brumes matinales fraîches. Ils sont vendangés baie par baie avec minutie. Après un passage en barriques neuves durant plus de trois ans, les vins sont mis en bouteille sans filtration. L’œnologue Pierre Lurton, ancien directeur du Château Cheval Blanc, veille sur les vinifications de la maison depuis 2004. Aucun autre château ne réussit à marier la dentelle à la puissance avec la même prouesse féminine. C’est ainsi que le Château d’Yquem défend aisément son titre de Premier Cru Supérieur. En dépit d’une production quantitative, les vins d’Yquem restent au sommet, leur qualité suprême étant illustrée par le grand vin, Yquem.