Château d'Yquem 2010

Of impressive transparency and precision despite the opulence, with stunningly beautiful, complex, delicate floral aromatics, an endlessly long finish: the elegance of 2008 and the cheerfulness and opulence of 2009! Off the charts.

Served from an ex-chateau bottle. Consistent notes compared to the sample tasted blind at Southwold, the 2010 Chateau d’Yquem does not quite live up to the billing it showed out of barrel. Certainly, it does not possess the concentration of the 2011, nor its elegance or symmetry. However, there is fine minerality on the nose and great transparency. The palate is fresh and harmonious, with a fine bead of citrus fruit and a penetrating, spicy finish offering white peach and honeysuckle notes, yet it does not display anything close to the peacock’s tail of the magnificent 2009. Still, this is a fine Yquem. Drink 2017–2040+. Tasted March 2014.

A pure, racy, floral style, with bright white peach, heather and honeysuckle notes driving along. The core of fresh orchard fruit is unctuous, the finish long and lacy, with marvelous cut and finesse. This shows the balance and elegance of a cooler year with a longer harvest period. -- Non-blind Yquem vertical (July 2014). Best from 2015 through 2045. 8,334 cases made.

The purity of Botrytis in this wine is so impressive, with dried fruits like apple and mango. Then a spicy character. Full-bodied and very sweet, yet incredibly fresh and lively. Such class and elegance. A perfectly manicured wine. Everything in the right place. It shows a delicacy and intensity that are spellbinding. Drink in 2018.

The 2010 Yquem has an attractive bouquet with marmalade, caramelized pear, orange pith and light puff pastry notes. It just needs a little more delineation. The palate is very well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, lightly spiced and impressive focus. Like the aromatics, I would have just liked a little more precision on the finish. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners 10-Year On Bordeaux horizontal.

Leaning to, but not quite at the orange side of the style range, the wine serves up its floral, spice, candied orange, apricot, roasted nut, pineapple, vanilla and creme brulee nose. There is richness, intensity, opulence, sweetness and freshness. The wine is youthful, yet approachable, honeyed, but not cloying, balanced and vibrant. You can enjoy this today, in a decade, or in 50 years your kids can toast you.

87% Sémillon, 13% Sauvignon Blanc. Quite intense yellow. Intense botrytis bouquet with plenty of peppery notes, giving the nose a highly layered drive, mirabelles and yellow plum compote, while remaining fresh and showing delicate mandarin blossom. Rich palate with extreme opulence, brilliant length, yet still classic—just as Managing Director Pierre Lurton promised: “An orgasmic Yquem!”

It was Monday morning, 9:15 a.m. I still had Château Cheval-Blanc 2010 at the corner of my mouth, which was being poured for tasting to the incoming visitors in the estate’s orangery. A few are then discreetly invited to the Château to taste another delicacy. As we entered the lounge, Serena Sutcliffe was just spitting out the golden nectar. We were received by the female Maître de Chai. Sandrine Garbay personally poured us the barrel sample of the world‑renowned Château d’Yquem. It had been a very, very late harvest, she reported, because botrytis set in very late. Not in Barsac, but rather at the highest point of the Sauternes area. And on this small hill, by pure chance, stands Yquem. That can be both an opportunity and a handicap. The blend is without Muscadelle, namely 87% Sémillon, 13% Sauvignon Blanc. Tasting note: Medium‑deep yellow, fairly intense, bright rim. Intense botrytis bouquet with plenty of peppery notes, giving the nose great complexity and drive; mirabelles and yellow plum compote, yet remaining fresh and showing fine mandarin blossoms. Rich palate with extreme opulence and glycerol-like texture, brilliant length. Despite its absolute richness, it feels classic and is, exactly as Managing Director Pierre Lurton promised, an “Yquem orgasmic!”

Fresh, mineral, complex, creamy bouquet with apricot skins, a hint of grapefruit, mint, honey, slate. Velvety, dense, creamy, multi-layered, elegant palate with concentrated fruit, creamy sweetness, fresh acidity, intense aromatics, very long, full finish. 20/20 2025 - 2050

Intense, opulent and concentrated apricot, toasted almond, citrus zest, juicy lemon, vivid and expressive, with a clean lift through the palate that practically lifts you off your feet. Huge persistency, white truffles and pink grapefruit. An exceptional wine that shows why Yquem continues to resonate so strongly around the world.

A blend of 70% Semillon and 30% Sauvignon Blanc, with 138 grams per liter of residual sugar, the 2010 Yquem has a pale to medium straw-gold color. After considerable aeration, it erupts from the glass with a powerhouse of flamboyant notes of crystalized ginger, honeydew melon, mango pudding, and lime leaves, followed by nuances of honeysuckle, white pepper, fennel seed, and crushed rocks. The palate is fantastically fruity, youthful and oh-so-rich, delivering citrus and tropical fruit layers with compelling tension, finishing very long and with wonderful purity.

Slightly more austere than the 2011, yet with incomparable aromatic pedigree, and still that perfect liqueur and ideal balance.

The palate illustrates Yquem’s change in style, with a very precise, subtle, elegant wine, all supported by lovely acidity and great length, and a finish of unparalleled complexity. Philosophically close to 1988, but more precise.

Inviting, complex bouquet marked by notes of candied lemon, bitter orange, quince and saffron. An earthy touch with a hint of celery, along with aromas that remind me of salted caramel. On the palate, the wine is youthful. All the elements are in place, both in terms of structure and sweetness. There is breadth, richness, tension and savoriness. Nevertheless, it needs time, which is an almost invariable constant at Yquem. It should be given time, and there is no need to rush.

The nose is fruity, elegant and fresh. There are delicate notes of candied lemon and hints of honey, joined by subtle touches of quince, persimmon, and stewed white fruits (nectarine, pear), along with discreet hints of pastry, brioche and gingerbread. The palate is fruity, fine and balanced, offering a lovely, subtle mineral framework, excellent balance and beautiful finesse/delicacy. On the palate, this wine shows delicate notes of lemon, stewed white fruits (nectarine, pear) and fine notes of quenette, with a discreet hint of spice, cardamom and green tea. Good length and lovely persistence.

Golden-yellow color. Intense, delicate, subtle, noble, fresh and complex nose. A hint of warm butter as it evolves in the glass. Precise on the attack, airy mid-palate, particularly aromatic, rich and melting, the wine gains tremendous energy from the mid-palate to the finish. It ends unspittable and very good. It’s superb.

96-98. Stunningly rich in character, a wine with great power to go with its acidity and sweetness. It is dense, powerful and concentrated powered by honey and by spice from the wood. The finish has dried apricots, very aromatic.