1946 Yquem
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Tasting notes
Bottle donated by Kate Dugdale to a wine collector and Yquem-lover who had never tasted the vintage of his birth. Hopes were not high as all 1946s he had previously tasted had been disappointments but this was stunning. Michael Broadbent's note from a Hardy Rodenstock tasting was pretty damning: 'old banana skins'. Perhaps this was one vintage Rodenstock didn't bother to apply his Yquem recipe to. Deep amber. The nose was brilliantly alluring with notes of dried apricots, lime marmalade and toast. There was no shortage of sweetness with a certain smokiness (but not rot). It was still so full of beans! Absolutely thrilling, not least because of the reputation of the vintage. Very difficult to suggest the correct drinking window! (JR)
Critic scores
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
A rarely seen and even more rarely celebrated vintage for bordeaux, although presumably a few bottles will be opened at 60th birthday celebrations this year. Deep coppery, foxy rich colour. Crème brûlée nose. Deep sweet round barley sugar palate. Lovely notes of burnt caramel and surprising freshness. Quite tense and long. Much, much better than expected.(magnum recorked in 2000) (JR)
About the producer
The undisputed finest sweet wine in the world, Château d'Yquem is the only Premier Cru Supérieur estate in Sauternes, classified in 1855. With a long history stretching back to the Middle Ages, the château is entwined with that of the Lur-Saluces family – who remain involved today.