1988 CHÂTEAU YQUEM 1er Cru Classé Sauternes, Lea & Sandeman

CHÂTEAU YQUEM

1988 1er Cru Classé Sauternes

IN STOCK
Grapes Sémillon, Muscadelle, Sauv Blanc
Origin France, Bordeaux
Village Sauternes
Classification 1er Cru Classé
ABV 13.5%

13.5%, 123 g/l RS, TA 3.8. Very classic vintage. Warm year with a very wet spring. Good weather lasted to the end of the harvest, 15 Oct started – very late – and then it was a dream vintage with no rain for 4 weeks. Ended 25 Nov. Very late. Dark tawny. The most intriguing nose Glossy and lively and more intellectual than the other two, Extremely long – a hint of ginger and real zest. Certainly seemed the best of these three without a doubt. Very racy and flirtatious – maybe racier than the 1989. Powerful and very very long. Drinking range: 2000 - 2040 Rating: 19.5 Jancis Robinson OBE MW - www.JancisRobinson.com (Feb 20008)

*Case price discount: Mix any 12 bottles of wine (or 9 litre equivalent) or 6 bottles of Champagne, Spirits, Sweet Wine or Fortified (4.5 litres) to get the discounted 'case price' for each bottle.

The 1988 Yquem is a vintage that I have drunk with enormous pleasure on numerous occasions. This last bottle was the perfect ending to a horizontal of 1988 Roumier wines at Noizé. It was a late harvest that lasted until All Saints Day (1 November). A total of 6 tries were necessary through the vineyard, each gifting plenty of botrytised fruit. Deep amber in hue, it offers wonderful aromas of mandarin, orange blossom, wax resin and a light adhesive scent. I was actually quite taken aback but the splendid delineation and life-affirming vitality of this example, hints of crème brûlée interwoven through the honeyed fruit, Clementine and hints of caramelised pear. It fans out wonderfully on the finish. Without doubt, this was the best bottle of 1988 Yquem that I have encountered. Drinking range: 2022 - 2050 Rating: 96 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Apr 2022)

The 1988 is a more backward-styled Yquem than the 1989, built along the lines of the extraordinary 1975. With a honeyed, smoky, orange/coconut/pineapple-scented nose, this powerful wine possesses full body, layers of highly concentrated, extracted flavors, considerable botrytis, and a sensational finish. Drinking range: 1998 - 2050 Rating: 99 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, www.RobertParker.com (Apr 1995)

This wine isn't currently part of a mixed case, but you can always browse our full selection of mixed cases here.
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