TN 2001 Chateau d'Yquem

[Jamie Manley]

How do you even begin to describe a wine like this? Let me start by saying that I had lowered my expectations - no way was this wine going to ever live up to the hype. Not only did it live up, this Yquem smashed right through my expectation point, and just laughed at me as it blew past with seemingly no effort and a full tank of gas left. Wow! As soon as I pulled the cork I knew that I was in trouble. Though primary, the aroma was penetrating. I tried to not touch the bottle for 4 hours, but this was futile. Let's get right to it. The nose has haunting, dynamic aromas of pineapple, lemon, beeswax, creme brulee, lanolin, and honey. Constantly changing, I was also sensing some mango and pear. As incredible as the nose was, it was the palate that did me in. This Yquem may become habit-forming; not a good thing on my salary. All the aforementioned flavors of the nose are there on the palate, but with this searing intensity. I mean, they are literally burned into your tongue. And the amazing thing is the lift of the wine and its lightness of foot. I was studdering with glee by this point. The finish goes on forever and you cannot stop thinking about this wine. How often does such a highly heralded product exceed expectations these days? Not much. I had contemplated trying this wine for well over a year before finally pulling the trigger. I just returned from buying as much as I could afford. It is that good! 100 Pts

[Jeff Leve]

Jamie... This is a great tasting note on an even better wine! Bravo!!! It is probably the best young Sauternes I've tasted and a stunning Chateau d'Yquem. It was semi reasonable when it was first offered, so I grabbed a few. It will probably be even better than the 1975, when it's mature.

[Jamie Manley]

Jeff, thank you. Although alot of money, I have never felt better about a wine purchase. I now have enough 375s to follow the maturity path of this incredible wine.

[laurent gibet]

A great Yquem 2001 and also a great Yquem 2009.

[Jeff Leve]

Jamie... Trust Laurent. He knows! He's a very good taster. Sadly, 2009 Yquem will be even more money than you need to pay for the 2001. I am not sure what you paid for the 2001. But for not that much more money, if you look around, you can probably score a bottle of the 1975. IMO, 1975 Yquem is better than 67 Yquem and every other recent vintage, with the possible exception of 2001. If you want an idea of where the 2001 might end up, try the 75.

[Jamie Manley]

Jeff, I will trust Laurent's palate - I enjoy his posts. I paid $ 300 per 375 with my latest purchase. Expensive for sure, but still well below Winesearcher. I am already craving more Yquem, so I will be searching around. I would love to try a good vintage that is mature. My 01s will be sleeping for quite some time. If I come across one that seems interesting, I will post here before pulling the trigger. I need to be very deliberate with my next purchase as I have blown way through my budget - along with the 01 Yquem I also bought 00 Ducru Beaucaillou, 00 Leoville Poyferre, and 06 "Y" Ygrec (Yquem). On my salary - ouch! Feel great about every single bottle bought though.

[Jeff Leve]

Jamie... If you are paying $300 for a split of 2001 Yquem, if you're cool with it, trust me on this, add another $100 and look for the 1975 Yquem. It might be the best Sauternes I have ever tasted! 1983 Yquem and 1986 Yquem are also drinking well. If you want to taste the best non Yquem Sauternes with bottle age, see if you find a bottle of the 1971 Climens. It is off the charts!!! It's not that hard to find as the property recorked and rereleased a lot of the wine about 15 years ago and bottles are still floating around.

[laurent gibet]

Don't forget Yquem 1988, very fresh.

[Jeff Leve]

Don't forget Yquem 1988, very fresh.

Laurent... What order do you rank the 1988 Yquem, 1989 Yquem and 1990 Yquem? For me, it might be 1988, 1990, 1989.

[Jamie Manley]

Jeff and Laurent, thank you. I will see what I can find.

[laurent gibet]

Jeff,

Yquem 88 first (Climens 88 is a marvel, too).
More difficult for me to discriminate between 89 and 90. Probably 1990 better than 1989 (slightly heavier).

[laurent gibet]

Mere clues (in French, 2 Yquem verticales, young - a great 1983 - then old vintages, with two 1947 : one great, one tremendous):

http://www.invinoveritastoulouse.fr/...aine&Itemid=58
http://www.invinoveritastoulouse.fr/...aine&Itemid=58

[Christer Byklum]

I actually preffer 86 to 88, 89 and 90 Yquem....

$300 for half bottle of 01 Yquem! Haven't seen such a price in Europe for a long time.....

[Jamie Manley]

Christer, I was very fortunate on the price (given today's market). That is what made this such an easy purchase for me.

[Jamie Manley]

Christer, you inspired me - I went back to the shop today and bought the rest of the 375s at $300. I am very confident that we will never see that price again, so thank you. Cheers.