White Bordeaux

Score: 96 Robert Parker, Bordeaux Book (4), December 2003

A sensational Yquem, 1997 may be this estate's finest effort since 1990 (although I would not discount the 1996 turning out to be nearly as good). The 1997's light gold color is accompanied a gorgeous perfume of caramel, honeysuckle, peach, apricot, and smoky wood. Full-bodied and unctuously-textured, with good underlying acidity as well as loads of sweetness and glycerin, it looks to be a great vintage for this renowned Sauternes estate. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2055.

Score: 96 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (146), April 2003

It's been a long time since the preeminent yquem has delivered such a powerful and well balanced sweet wine. The 1997 is deceptively refined, yet thick and extravagant. It is holding back loads of character and structure and needs many years of bottle age. It now shoes subtle aromas of honey, spices and intense botrytis. Full bodies, thick and fruity, it coats your palate with sweet orange peel and lemon rind character. Don't touch it until at least 2008. The wine will be released in october, and is available as futures now.

Score: 95 James Suckling, Wine Spectator (126), April 2003

Masses of acidity. Thick, very complex, very sweet. Massive but very young. 13.5%

Score: 19 - 20

JancisRobinson.com, Jancisrobinson.com Maturity: 2018-205027 March 2012

Not darker than any other 2001 Sauternes. Butterscotch and orange peel but not excessive sweetness on the nose. Some barley sugar and then on the palate such a lot of richness and weight and complexity. The merest hint of mouse but awfully lovely. Not quite as fat as Climens.

Score: 18

JancisRobinson.com, Jancisrobinson.com Maturity: 2015-203530 March 2011

Tasted blind at Bordeaux Index’s 10-Year On horizontal. The nose is very tight at first with scents of dried honey, yellow flowers and melted butter with fine definition: very complex and cerebral. The palate is medium-bodied with a vibrant, zesty entry, good acidity with apricot, orange zest and white peach towards the well defined finish. Exquisite balance and poise although it needs years in bottle. Tasted March 2011. (97+ Points)

Score: 97

Neal Martin, erobertparker.com 01 May 2011

The greatest young Yquem I have ever tasted from bottle. Yellow, with a golden hue and an almost green tint. Intense aromas of botrytis, spices and blanched almonds follow through to honey, maple syrup, dried apricot and pineapple. Full-bodied, sweet, thick and powerful, with layers of fruit and a bright, lively finish. Coats the palate yet remains exciting. So balanced and refined, showing the pedigree that only this Sauternes estate can deliver. Best after 2012. 10,000 cases made.

Score: 100

James Suckling, Wine Spectator Maturity: 2012+15 November 2005

There are 10,000 cases of this perfect sweet white Bordeaux. The 2001 Yquem reveals a hint of green in its light gold color. While somewhat reticent aromatically, with airing, it offers up honeyed tropical fruit, orange marmalade, pineapple, sweet creme brulee, and buttered nut-like scents. In the mouth, it is full-bodied with gorgeously refreshing acidity as well as massive concentration and unctuosity. Everything is uplifted and given laser-like focus by refreshing acidity. This large-scaled, youthful Yquem appears set to take its place among the most legendary vintages of the past, and will age effortlessly for 75+ years.

Score: 100

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate Maturity: 2010-2100+30 April 2005

Rating:

90

Price ($)

NA

Drink Date

2008 - 2016

Reviewed by

Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Issue Date

30th Apr 2008

Source

176, The Wine Advocate

This beauty exhibits copious notes of figs, melons, and green apple skins intermixed with mango, lemon zest, and nectarines. The wood component is barely detectable in this medium-bodied, stylish white. Drink it over the next 7-8 years.

Served from an ex-chateau bottle. The 2005 Chateau d'Yquem is similar to the 2006 in that it deserves aeration. The bouquet is well-defined, although there is clearly some new oak that will need another two or three years to fully integrate. The aromatics seem to show a little more botrytis than the 2006, richer and headier. The palate is unctuous on the entry, beautifully balanced and lacquers the mouth in pure honeyed fruit interlaced with white pepper, quince jus and nectarine. Comparing the two, the 2006 has a little more tension and race, although the 2005 has a touch more persistency. The 2006 may well turn out to be the better of the two vintages in the long run (hence the plus sign), although the 1995 [sic - should read 2005] is a Yquem with panache to spare. Drink now-2040. Tasted March 2014.

Score: 96 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate (213), June 2014

An absolutely textbook great white Graves made from 85% Sauvignon Blanc and 15% Semillon and aged nine months on its lees, this is a prodigious effort displaying notes of white flowers, currants, honeyed citrus, fig, and crushed rocks. The wine is very pure, with full body and high acidity, in a backward, almost tannic style. Give this wine at least 8-10 years of cellaring and drink it over the following 30 years.

Delivering 12.0% ABV and 200gms residual sugar, Denis Dubourdieu’s luxury Barsac, the 2007 L’Extravagant de Doisy-Daene, does not hold back, born with a lucid golden hue with big fat tears (of joy). The bouquet is very intense but very tight at first, demanding time to unfurl in the glass at its own pleasure: white peach, apricot, orange-blossom and a touch of marmalade with breathtaking definition. The palate is full-bodied with a viscous entry, so pure and caressing with mellifluous honey, apricot and citrus lemon, wonderful delineation on the finish, the thread of acidity interwoven through that powerful finish with the length of an ocean liner. Brilliant. Drink 2015-2050.

One of the outstanding successes of the 2009 vintage, this may surpass the superlative 2007. It has a more understated nose at the moment, but is very well defined with honey, white peach, orange peel and crushed stones. The palate has a viscous entry, is very well balanced, very powerful with great depth and effervescent minerality. Layers of botrytis layer across the mellifluous finish that is beautifully defined and sensuous. Fabulous.

Rounded and broad in feel for now, with richly layered toasted almond, ginger cream, brioche and glazed apple notes that all glide through the viscous finish, where a flash of green tea can be found. This has the buried zip for the long haul, which it will need to assimilate fully. There's lots in reserve. Best from 2015 through 2034. 4,165 cases made. Score: 95

NEAL MARTIN: 98-100

THE WINE ADVOCATE: 98-98

There are probably around seven casks of the 2009 L’Extravagant de Doisy-Daene, although that may decrease a little after racking. An equal blend of Semillon and Sauvignon, it delivers a record 220gms residual sugar and yet still exudes astounding minerality and precision, with touches of clear honey, frangipane and cold wet stones. The palate is full-bodied with a mellifluous texture, perfect acidity to slice through that rich botrytized fruit, stunning balance, citrus peel, apricot, Clementine, lemon curd and a hint of ginger. With awesome length, leaving that tingling sensation akin to Szechuan pepper, this wine truly lives up to its name. Wine Advocate.April, 2010

"This blockbuster blend of 62% Sauvignon Blanc and 38% Semillon has absolutely amazing texture, with superb lemon butter, crushed rock, quince and marmalade notes buttressed by hints of orange zest and citrus oil. Rich and full-bodied, with a sensational fragrance, this is an exquisite, full-throttle white to drink over the next 30+ years. Utterly profound!" 98+/100 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate #199

A beautiful 1,000-case blend of 83% Semillon and the rest Sauvignon Blanc from the owners of La Mission Haut-Brion and Haut-Brion, this beauty exhibits oodles of marmalade, honeysuckle, caramelized melons and candle wax in a medium-bodied, authoritative style. Drink it over the next decade or more.

This full-bodied blend of 54% Sauvignon Blanc and 46% Semillon has a level of concentration and intensity that makes it the dry white wine of the vintage. Loads of minerality, a hint of subtle spice, but mostly just pure orange marmalade, candle wax, honeysuckle and caramelized melons make for a full-bodied, distinctive style of wine to drink over the next 50+ years.

Score: 98 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (205), March 2013

A blend of 54% Sauvignon Blanc and 46% Semillon, this singular, compelling white exhibits notes of orange blossoms, lemons, melons, crushed rocks, spice and flowers. It is a sensational, provocative, full-bodied dry white to enjoy over the next 40 years.

Score: 94/97 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (194), May 2011

Tasted at Chateau Haut-Brion. There is a slight floral aspect to the nose of the Haut Brion Blanc with hints of almond, white chocolate and fresh pear underpinned by fine minerality. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp citric fruit on the opening. It is slightly more phenolic than recent vintages, just a hint of white pepper tingling on the tongue with a well-balanced finish that is persistent. Good potential. Tasted November 2012.

Score: 95 Neal Martin, eRobertParker.com, February 2013

The 2011 seems to be a close cousin of the 2001 and possibly 1988. Light gold, restrained but very pure, noble and intense bouquet of honeysuckle, caramelized apricot, white peach with a subtle hint of toasty oak. It builds slowly but beautifully to a full-bodied wine and long finish. This vintage is about restraint and perfect balance despite the 144 grams of residual sugar. Some vintages are more exuberant or flamboyant-2011 is racy and compelling. Of course these wines can be drunk young, but expect the 2011 to age for 50 -75+ years in a good cellar. Robert Parker, 15/9/13

Score: 97

This blend of 84% Semillon and 16% Sauvignon Blanc is from the vineyard that used to be known as Laville Haut-Brion. Bursting with aromas of candle wax, honeyed tangerines, exotic melon and lychee nut-like notes, it exhibits terrific minerality along with a full-bodied mouthfeel, exceptional concentration, great acids and a long finish that lasts 40+ seconds. This killer dry white wine should drink well for 30-40+ years.

Score: 96/98+ Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (206), April 2013