The Official Wine Thread

[Cary Grant]

"Burgundy makes you think of silly things: Bordeaux makes you talk about them and Champagne makes you do them."-Brillat-Savarin

 

[Cary Grant]



2004 Bierzo (100% Mencia).
Dry & Tannic, gripping but the fruit tastes either tight or a bit past peak. Enjoyable either way. Tar, smoke, acidic, blackberry. Black licorice nose. Unfined, unfiltered.

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

This really improved on Day Two. Fuller, rounder. Rather exceptional actually.

 

[Huntsman]

Can anyone point me in the direction of a decent d'Yquem vintage chart? Did some Googling, but to no avail. Don't really want a generic Sauternes chart.

~ H

 

[itsstillmatt]



Can  anyone point me in the direction of a decent d'Yquem vintage chart? Did some Googling, but to no avail. Don't really want a generic Sauternes chart.

~ H

 

If Yquem makes a vintage, it will be great. If it is not great, they don't release it.

 

[Huntsman]

I know. But they skip a vintage, what, every twenty years or so? There must be stratification; '01, for instance is near legendary (and untouchable). I am buying myself a present and as I will have to choose between a number of vintages at a number of pricepoints I am trying to find a way to differentiate.

 

[itsstillmatt]



I know. But they skip a vintage, what, every twenty years or so? There must be stratification; '01, for instance is near legendary (and untouchable). I am buying myself a present and as I will have to choose between a number of vintages at a number of pricepoints I am trying to find a way to differentiate.

 

How much are you looking to spend. I don't have as much experience with them as some here, but I've probably tried a dozen and a half vintages, and my gut tells me to buy on the cheaper side, the less hyped vintages. Yquem is typically Yquem. That is to say that it resembles itself as much as any wine does, so if I were you, and I were looking at this as a learning and enjoying experience, I'd probably buy a '96 and a '97 rather than one '01 or one '09. As far as vintage charts, every major publication reviews them every vintage, so they will have a list, but you have to be sure their tastes and yours are similar.

Edit: buy half bottles. then you can try more, spend less.

 

[Huntsman]

Less than $500; though I was tempted by a mag at 699. I love magnums.

I should buy some splits, but this is a celebratory bottle; I've always wanted to have a bottle of d'Yquem, but keep putting it off. This will cap off my little Sauternes collection; I will probably cellar it until my 40th and open it then. I actually was strongly considering the '97.



~ H

 

[Slewfoot]

I've really liked the 95 Yquem in the past. Underrated and I know the Chateau really likes it as well. Enjoy!

 

[Cary Grant]

FWIW from a reseller:

"
On average, only 65,000 bottles are produced each year. In a poor vintage, the entire crop is deemed unworthy of bearing
the Château's name; this happened 9 times in the 20th century (1910, 1915, 1930, 1951, 1952, 1964, 1972, 1974, 1992).

Chateau d'Yquem from fine vintages has an extraordinarily long life, bottles of 100 years and older may be found in excellent
condition if properly kept. The wines from the very greatest vintages - 1847, 1869, 1921, 1929, 1937, 1959, 1967, 1989 -
seem to be almost immortal."

 

[Huntsman]

I've really liked the 95 Yquem in the past. Underrated and I know the Chateau really likes it as well. Enjoy!

Interesting to know. I have a friend in a place where I can grab some '95 for two bills and change.

FWIW from a reseller:

"
On average, only 65,000 bottles are produced each year. In a poor vintage, the entire crop is deemed unworthy of bearing
the Château's name; this happened 9 times in the 20th century (1910, 1915, 1930, 1951, 1952, 1964, 1972, 1974, 1992).

Chateau d'Yquem from fine vintages has an extraordinarily long life, bottles of 100 years and older may be found in excellent
condition if properly kept. The wines from the very greatest vintages - 1847, 1869, 1921, 1929, 1937, 1959, 1967, 1989 -
seem to be almost immortal."

Isn't incredible to make something 'immortal' as d'Yquem can be? To me that is mindblowing, beyond what could be considered the zenith of an artisan's craft. Do you particularly like Sauternes because of your love of cheese?

The Chateau also rather famously scrapped 2012.

Hm. '89 is doable for me. Hm. Hm.

~ H

 

[patrickBOOTH]

After an evening with gomestar...

 

[gomestar]

i still say go with the Monte Antico for the rest of tonight

 

[gomestar]



I've probably tried a dozen and a half vintages, and my gut tells me to buy on the cheaper side, the less hyped vintages. Yquem is typically Yquem. That is to say that it resembles itself as much as any wine does, so if I were you, and I were looking at this as a learning and enjoying experience, I'd probably buy a '96 and a '97 rather than one '01 or one '09.

this.

 

[Cary Grant]



After an evening with gomestar...

That Seghesio Barbera...

 

[Cary Grant]

I do like Sauterne for its versatility with cheese, yes.