Chateau d Yquem 2010

Château d'Yquem, Premier Cru Superieur, Sauternes, Bordeaux, France, 2010

Grapes: 87% Sémillon and 13% Sauvignon Blanc, 103ha vineyard with pebble/gravel over clay soils, 900 litres/ha yield (= one glass per vine!), barrel fermented, aged 30 months in new French oak, residual sugar: 138 g/litre 

Pale gold with slight greenness. Gorgeous, classic nose. Pear juice a go-go. Absolutely stunning freshness as well as all the botrytis. Classic. Real punchy perfect savoury Sauternes. Zesty and lovely with some chew on the end. No shortage of botrytis. Very distinctive and much less sweet than the 2009. 

Critics' Tasting Notes:

"Pale to medium lemon-gold color, the 2010 d'Yquem has retreated into its shell at this youthful stage, offering spritely suggestions of lemon curd, lime cordial and green mango with wafts of honeysuckle, spice cake, sea spray and beeswax plus a hint of gingerbread. The palate really comes through with super intense, tightly wound citrus, savory and mineral layers carried by a laser-precise backbone of freshness, finishing with crazy persistence that lingers a full three minutes and then some. This is going to be a very exotic, opulent Yquem!" Drink 2025-2065

98/100 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate, March 2020

"Leaning to, but not quite at the orange side of the style range, the wine serves up its floral, spice, candied orange, apricot, roasted nut, pineapple, vanilla and creme brulee nose. There is richness, intensity, opulence, sweetness and freshness. The wine is youthful, yet approachable, honeyed, but not cloying, balanced and vibrant. You can enjoy this today, in a decade, or in 50 years your kids can toast you."

97/100 points, Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider, April 2022