1990 Château d'Yquem - Sauternes

1990: An extraordinary effort, Yquem's 1990 is a rich and fabulously superb, sweet wine. This wine also possesses lots of elegance and finesse. The wine's medium gold color is accompanied by an exceptionally sweet nose of honeyed tropical fruits, peaches, coconut, and apricots. High quality, subtle toasty oak is well-integrated. The wine is massive on the palate, with layers of intensely ripe botrytis-tinged, exceptionally sweet fruit. Surprisingly well-integrated acidity, and a seamless, full-bodied power and richness have created a wine of remarkable harmony and purity. Certainly it is one of the richest Yquems I have ever tasted, with 50-100 years of potential longevity. An awesome Yquem! Anticipated maturity: 2003-2050+.

The colour has amber tinges and is just beginning to show its age. The nose is also showing some development with hints of candied orange, plums, and dried apricot. The wine starts out extremely soft on the palate. Its roundness is balanced by good acidity and a slight, but very welcome bitterness. This great wine has a great deal of substance and a beautiful, long aftertaste. (tasted on June 27, 2003)