CHATEAU D'YQUEM 1er Cru Classe Superieur - Sauternes 2020 HALF

Description

The 2020 Château d’Yquem is a masterful expression of elegance and precision, showcasing a blend of 75% Semillon and 25% Sauvignon Blanc. Cropped at only 10 hl/ha, it offers a complex bouquet of white peaches, almonds, pineapple, with further notes of Vervain tea, white flowers, and saffron with time. The palate is mineral-rich and saline, delivering a precise, thermic core with hints of stem ginger, caramelized pear, and orange rind. Critics praise its purity, delicacy, and aging potential VINOUS awards it 97 points, noting its poised, luxurious energy. Decanter scores it 96 for its subtle elegance and vibrant freshness. With a bottle age suitable for decades, it’s a refined yet approachable vintage destined to evolve beautifully over time.

*****

VINOUS 97 points
Drinking Window 2040 - 2100
From: Cellar Favorite: 2020 Château d’Yquem (Jun 2023)
The 2020 Yquem, a blend of 75% Semillon and 25% Sauvignon Blanc, cropped at a measly 10hl/ha, has a very sensual bouquet. It’s pretty mercurial as it unfolds in the glass, with scents of freshly sliced white peaches, almonds and pineapple. The oak is beautifully integrated, and allowing it further time, there are additional scents of Vervain tea, pressed white flowers and saffron. The palate makes an immediate impact with a mineral-rich, surprisingly saline entry that lends it edginess right from the off. The poise in this Yquem rivets you to the spot. Compared to recent vintages, this keeps everything buttoned down and tightly controlled until the finish, whereupon it fans out with nascent swagger. Stem ginger, caramelized pear and orange rind notes are delivered with excellent delineation. This animated and opulent Yquem is destined to age gracefully over the coming decades.

DECANTER 96 points
Tasted by: Georgina Hindle (at Château d'Yquem, 22 Mar 2023) Part of Reimagining Yquem: US 'Lighthouses' showcase Château d’Yquem’s new 2020 release
Drinking Window: 2023 - 2070 - A masterclass in purity and delicacy for this 2020 vintage which manages to convey the beauty and allure of Yquem in a toned down, subtle and beguiling way. Aromas of white blossom and honeysuckle, gently caramelised Mirabelle plums and fresh apricots with flecks of clementine and grapefruit pith abound on the nose - richly scented in their individual aspects but delivered quietly, almost sultry and shy. Immediately mouthfilling and unctuous, streamlined and fresh with a sugary hit hitting first before mouthwatering acidity follows giving sumptuous succulence and vibrancy. Apricot, peach, fleshy mango and sharp pineapple give the exotic fruit zing balanced by a salty, flintiness that adds faint angles to the expression. Juicy, bright, clean and complete with hints of cinnamon spice and just-toasted bread providing the frame and structure reminding you that this is built to last. It's not as opulent as some vintages, much more understated and relaxed - and coincidentally one of the lowest in residual sugar at 135g/l - but this is a wonderful expression with control and confidence on show. It also has supreme drinkability even now with tension, clarity and energy so don't be afraid to open and enjoy this in its joyful youth. The 2020 is the smallest production since 2000 with an equivalent of 35,000 bottles made. All stock will be released for sale on 23rd March with only a small number of bottles kept back for the estate's library collection. 3.79pH. The vintage was challenging in terms of viticulture with tropical spring-like weather delivering early budburst and high mildew pressure, especially given it was the estate's first year of official organic conversion. June was wet and cool followed by a hot, dry summer. Botrytis arrived in mid-October but there was only a small window of five days and two separate passes to harvest grapes with perfect noble rot.

JAMES SUCKLING 96 points
Very transparent and elegant with white peaches, lilacs, and light caramel. Medium-bodied, sweet and agile with salted caramel and dried orange character. Spicy botrytis at the end. Give this three or four years to come together.

THE WINE ADVOCATE 94 points
Reviewed by: Yohan Castaing
Drink Date: 2023 - 2040
The 2020 d'Yquem presents a fresh bouquet with aromas of white fruits, orchard fruits and mango, complemented by a hint of spring flowers. It’s perfectly balanced and moderately weighted compared to other vintages, making it a tense, penetrating d’Yquem. Despite the challenges of the growing season and a brief harvest (which began on September 30th and concluded on October 12th), d'Yquem's team managed to produce a mere 40,000 bottles, a modest yield in recent years.