Castle of Yquem - Sauternes 2010

Wine Advocate

93 / 100

byNeal Martinthe6/26/2014

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, the elegance or the 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 that offers white peach and honeysuckle notes, yet does not possess anything close to the peacock’s tail of the magnificent 2009. Still, this is a fine Yquem. Drink 2017-2040+. Tasted March 2014.

Wine Spectator

96 / 100

byJames Molesworththe5/31/2014

Rather restrained now, showing terrific purity and precision, with dried pineapple, persimmon and mango notes, offset by racy honeysuckle, white peach and chamomile hints. The extremely long finish sails on, switching to yet another spectrum, with green almond, green plum and coconut accents. A thread of quinine stitches this up at the very end. Best from 2020 through 2050. 8,334 cases made.

Jamessuckling.com

97 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/3/2013

The purity of Botrytis in this wine is so impressive with dried fruits such apple and mango. And then spicy character. Full body and very sweet but it is incredibly fresh and lively. Such class and elegance. Perfectly manicured wine. Everything in the right place. This shows a delicacy and intensity that are spellbinding. Drink in 2018.

Wein Wisser

20 / 20

the5/31/2011

87% Semillon, 13% Sauvignon Blanc. Recht intensives Gelb. Intensives Botrytisbouquet mit viel pfeffrigen Noten, das gibt dem Nasenbild einen sehr vielschichtigen Drive, Mirabellen und gelbes pflaumenkompott, dabei aber frisch bleibend und feine Mandarinenblüten zeigend. Reicher Gaumen mit extremer Opulenz, geniale Länge, wirkt dennoch klasisch und ist so, wie ihn der Generaldirektor Pierre Lurton versprochen hatte: "Ein orgastischer Yquem!". 2015-2080

Asian Palate

95-97 / 100

byJeannie Cho Lee MWthe5/24/2011

Intensely aromatic, with honeysuckle, marmalade, and candied citrus notes, the 2010 Yquem is a wine of amazing freshness and vibrancy of flavour, with layers of sweet flowers and ripe stone fruits, and great substance and depth. More of a middleweight than the 2009, the 2010 Yquem weighed in at 140 g/l of residual sugar versus 155g/l in the 2009.

Le Point

18,5 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe5/12/2011

Fruits blancs, mirabelle, pamplemousse, bouche vive, fraîche, tendue, bon équilibre, du gras ; un vin à retardement, moins exubérnt que le 2009, fin, qui rappelle le 1988/ O=2016 G=30 ans

Decanter Magazine

19 / 20

the4/30/2011

Extraordinary purity of aromas, with an airy power difficult to rival, a new brilliant example of the actual style of the property, with the vintage's monumental body completely hidden by the refinement of tactile sensations. Some are nostalgic for the epic oily bodies of the past, not I (even if I greatly admire them). Drink 2020-2070. (19 points)

Jamessuckling.com

94-95 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/30/2011

This is a super balanced and racy Yquem with nuts. light pineapple and apple ccharacter. Full and dense but bright and fresh. Love the spicy botrytis with light apple tart and nuts on the finish. Not a great vintage for Sauternes, but Yquem stays on top.

TAST

19 / 20

by Bettane & Desseauvethe4/30/2011

Pureté extraordinaire des arômes, aérien dans sa puissance, conforme au style actuel du cru, avec la monumentalité de construction liée à la richesse des raisins du millésime. Encore une fois admirable.

Wine Enthusiast

96-98 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/8/2011

Stunningly rich in character, this wine has great power to go with its acidity and sweetness. Dense and concentrated, its powered by honey and spice, and the finish has aromatic dried apricots.-R.V.