Château d'Yquem 1934

Earthy and slightly off on the nose, a bit burning and tough on the palate, but while not very harmonious, it's original, with a chewy, minerally finish.--Yquem vertical. Drink now.

13%, 126 g/l RS, TA 4.7. Very cold winter but warm and dry afterwards. Some hail in July. Big heatwave of 56 days of over 30 deg C. Very early picking 7 Sep – 3 Oct. Very pure and elegant vintage – powerful and very long. Dark tawny with greenish hints at the rim. Muted nose though hints of age. Quite dry by now but very tight and dynamic. Like a polished chestnut in taste somehow. Lively clean finish but not especially sweet. I think this is probably just past its best but very good. Wonderfully creamy. (JR)

This is the second bottle of 1934 Yquem that I have tasted at the château, and it is even better than the first. The bouquet has more complexity and a stronger sense of purpose than the first, exquisitely defined with Satsuma, quince and Seville orange marmalade, vivid and focused. The palate has outstanding concentration, that quicksilver line of acidity effortlessly slicing through the heavy botrytis, still viscous towards the finish, which has a subtle tangy edge. This is everything you could wish for in 90-year-old Yquem. Tasted at the château.

This extraordinary wine hit all the right notes with its display of caramel, molasses, spice, orange rinds, butterscotch, creme brulee, and marmalade. The palate was equal to the nose with its candied oranges topped with molasses, and brown sugar, which was brought to perfection by its racy acidity that brought out all the sweetness. Drink from 2024-2044.

Mature ochre-gold. Malty bouquet, a little tired at first, then it comes to life: marmalade-like sweetness, increasingly richer. On the palate it truly blossoms, with tremendous silky texture, an elegant Barsac-like structure, Tokay-like aromatics, a whirl of honey, saffron, daffodils, and a dream finish. Very close to the legendary ’37.

98: Mature ochre-gold. Malty, slightly tired bouquet at first; marmalade-like sweet notes, growing increasingly richer. On the palate the wine really comes into bloom, with tremendous creaminess and an elegant structure reminiscent of a Barsac; Tokaji-like aromatics, honey extractor, saffron, daffodils—an dream finale. Very close to the legendary ’37 from the same decade. (19/20). 11: My friend Lucien was actually meant to handle the finale at this Old-Swiss-House with his ’37 Yquem. But unfortunately he fell ill, so I had to fish a suitable replacement bottle out of my cellar. Bright golden yellow. Intensely aromatic, with incredible freshness for an almost 80-year-old Sauternes. The multi-layered bouquet showed mandarin, citrus peel and even traces of lemon balm; essentially rather slender yet heady. Juicy and very elegant on a long, drawn-out palate. Here too, the gently peppery acidity refreshes this brilliant wine and gives it a Barsac affinity—unbelievably youthful. (19/20). 14: Bright gold with orange highlights. Wonderful fresh bouquet: lemon balm, candied citron, mandarins, Persian persimmon, white pepper. Not overly sweet; instead, the fine sweetness is elegantly wrapped in complex botrytis. On the palate it feels markedly sweeter than on the nose, showing fig tones, a touch of molasses and a compact, focused finish. A juicy, perhaps slightly light-footed Yquem in a Barsac style. This bottle: 18/20.

A fresh, medium-bodied, velvety bouquet with notes of caramel, delicate honey, dried pears, concentrated pear (Birnel), and verbena. The palate is refined and gently creamy, with a subtle sweetness, a finely creamy texture, good aromatic expression, and a long, elegant finish. 17/20 drink now.

Sun-yellow color with coppery hues. Nose of medium intensity. Candied. Complex. Pumpkin jam. Orange zest. Smoky. With aeration, more candied notes emerge: apricot and nutmeg. The attack is soft and fresh, unfolding into a rich, candied, apricot-driven structure with a medium body. The whole melts on the palate and finishes slightly firm, with fine oak and a hint of toast. A creamy persistence with a touch of bitter zest, making it very savory, with a note of apricot tart. Pretty and mysterious. Could make it to a century.

The 1934 d'Yquem is another refined, mature wine, evoking aromas of quince, baked mango, candied blood orange, orange peel, saffron and brown sugar. Medium-bodied and perfectly balanced, with an unexpectedly energetic mid-palate, it is layered and textural with a long, saline finish that remains racy at age 89.