Chateau Yquem 2017 tasting notes and ratings “en primeur” by Ronald Rens, M.Sc., Wine Master, Bordeaux Expert

Chateau Yquem 2017 (20- points)

A very happy Pierre Lurton welcomed me at the Bordeaux Opera House during the En Primeur week. This golden room at the opera was the elegant backdrop for the presentation of yet another great golden wine of Yquem. Yquem’s estate manager Lurton explained that this summer was the 4th hottest since 1897 in Sauternes. Yquem was hardly touched by the frost. The weather conditions were that unusual that a new record was set at Yquem. The harvest of the dry white wine started earlier than ever before on august 16! The botrytis developed evenly through the vineyards and in the end the pickers had to race against the clock to keep the sugar levels down to a reasonable level.

Chateau Yquem 2017 (20- points)
[75% Sémillon and 25% Sauvignon Blanc]

The color is concentrated golden and deeper than I remember from previous vintages. The nose is an expression of tropical fruit and citrus fruit in a balance that only Yquem can bring. In the mouth there is a rich opulence and an incredible power with a strong influence of the botrytis. All these elements are balanced perfectly by the acidity without any dominating sweetness and without feeling the alcohol. Although the numbers contradict this, I feel that there is less sweetness in this remarkable wine. Another great Yquem. Is it a wonder that we enjoyed drinking these samples all night?

With a very happy Sandrine Garbay, the winemaker at Yquem