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  1. Willie Smiths Pommeau de Tasmanie 18.2%
    Willie Smiths Pommeau de Tasmanie 18.2%

    Aged in small apple brandy casks for over 12 months, this rich and generous liqueur is a result of blending pressed French and British heirloom apple varieties with our apple spirit.

    Complex and well-structured with baked apple and spice, balanced with firm tannins and cask influence.

    Our take on the traditional aperitif from North-West France – enjoy as such or serve with blue cheese or dessert. WILLIE SMITH

    NV
    Calvados
    France
  2. Guiraud 2009 375mL
    Guiraud 2009 375mL

    More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!

    2009
    Sem/Sauv Blend
    France
    481
  3. Coutet 2017 375ml
    Coutet 2017 375ml

    Barsac 1er Cru Classé
    Avaliable

    The 2017 Coutet, which was tasted both as a final blend and directly from several different lots in barrel, has a very well defined bouquet with pure wild honey and orange blossom aromas that gain intensity with aeration. The palate is crisp and fresh, underpinned by Coutet’s trademark acidic drive that counterbalances the intense honeyed fruit laced with orange zest and white peach. Superb. (96) NEAL MARTIN

    The 2017 Coutet is very, very good. Nuanced and beautifully textured, throughout, the 2017 has quite a bit to offer. Silky contours add finesse to the orange peel, apricot jam, mint and spice flavors. Above all else, Coutet offers terrific depth while remaining light on its feet. ANTONIO GALLONI

    2017
    Sem/Sauv Blend
    France
    481
  4. Cavallotto Barbera d'Alba Vigna Cuculo 2021
    Cavallotto Barbera d'Alba Vigna Cuculo 2021

    Cavallotto’s Vigna del Cuculo is a major-league Barbera from a parcel of 50-plus-year-old vines on the western side of Bricco Boschis. This parcel is named after the cuckoo bird (cuculo)—we’re not sure why, and neither is Alfio Cavallotto! This wine's unique power and ridiculous quality can be attributed to the mature vines, low yields and powerful terroir of the Bricco Boschis. The western aspect and the preponderance of limestone temper Barbera’s natural acidity, and Alfio Cavallotto explains that this ‘Barolo’ terroir contributes to an aromatic range in Barbera that is closer to Nebbiolo.

    The winemaking is also distinctive, with up to 18 days on skins (a long time for Barbera) and then aging for 20 months in the same mature Slavonian casks as the Nebbiolo wines. 2021 is a wonderfully fleshy and perfumed year for this benchmark wine. It’s got that core of pure, sweet, plummy fruit so particular to this Barbera, here infused with nuances of anise, dried flower and earthy minerals. The tannins are supple and elegant, the acidity ripe yet racy, and the wine finishes with unusual depth, finesse and complexity for the variety. Equally deep, complex and textural—not all Barbera is created equal.

    2021
    Barbera
    Italy
    457
  5. Marchesi Alfieri La Tota Barbera d'Asti 2022 1500ml
    Marchesi Alfieri La Tota Barbera d'Asti 2022 1500ml
    Morello cherries, fresh bouquets and a touch of geraniums. Creamy tannins on the palate, with fleshy cherries and plums. Juicy, brambly and pristine medium-length finish. Drink now. ZEKUN SHUAI, jamessuckling.com
    2022
    Barbera
    Italy
    457
  6. Albino Rocca Barbaresco Montersino 2020
    Albino Rocca Barbaresco Montersino 2020
    The 2020 Barbaresco Montersino is intensely ?oral and savory, re?ecting a slightly higher position on the slope in a cool site. Dried herbs, tobacco, cedar, spice and earthy tones lend character. There is plenty of complexity and nuance here, and certainly more than enough depth to balance the tannins. This is a ?ne vintage for the Montersino. (93) ANTONIO GALLONI, Vinous

    Attractive aromas of red berries like raspberries and strawberries with hints of dried herbs, walnuts and bark. Medium-bodied, juicy and bright with fine, velvety tannins that are firm and grippy. Lingering finish. Very fine. (94) JAMES SUCKLING, jamessuckling.com
    2021
    Barbera
    Italy
    457
  7. Coutet 2019
    Coutet 2019

    More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!

    2019
    Sem/Sauv Blend
    France
    481
  8. Carbonnieux Blanc 2017
    Carbonnieux Blanc 2017

    The 2017 Carbonnieux Blanc is absolutely lovely. Lemon confit, white flowers and green orchard fruit open up first, followed by a range of bright citrus and floral notes that add brilliance to a very pretty upper register. ANTONIO GALLONI

    …This is one of the most sophisticated white Carbonnieux that I have encountered at this stage with wonderful mineralité and veins of ginger furnishing the finish that convey brio and confidence. This should evolve into an outstanding Pessac-Léognan. NEAL MARTIN, vinous.com

    Right off the bat this has richness and concentration, with peachy creaminess through the mid-palate but without sacrificing tension and lift. It's a fine example of what 2017 can deliver in the best whites, and should age very well. JANE ANSON, decanter.com

    Notes of lemon curd, citrus rind and hints of crushed rock define the 2017 Château Carbonnieux, which is medium-bodied, pure, and elegant on the palate. It's another great white from the Pessac-Léognan region in 2017. JEB DUNNUCK

    2017
    Sem/Sauv Blend
    France
    356
    $135.00
  9. Albino Rocca Barbaresco Ronchi 2020
    Albino Rocca Barbaresco Ronchi 2020
    The 2020 Barbaresco Ronchi stands out in this range for its breadth and textural resonance. There's gorgeous palate presence. Sweet red plum, blood orange, spice, new leather and incense ?ll out the layers. It’s a compelling wine in every way, and one that handles its alcohol quite well. (95) ANTONIO GALLONI, Vinous

    This is red-fruited and floral with citrus peel, rose petals and some undergrowth notes. Medium-bodied, polished and delicate with fine tannins and fresh cherry-fruit in the middle. Very attractive.
    (93) JAMES SUCKLING, jamessuckling.com
    2021
    Barbera
    Italy
    457
  10. Roger Groult Calvados 8yo Pays d'Auge 41% 700ml
    Roger Groult Calvados 8yo Pays d'Auge 41% 700ml

    More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!

    Calvados
    France
  11. Paolo Vidopivec Vitovska Classica 2017
    Paolo Vidopivec Vitovska Classica 2017
    Paolo Vodopivec works only with the Vitovska grape, which is native to the area bordering Slovenia and just north of Trieste. He likes to use ancient winemaking techniques, including amphorae and works with bio-dynamically grown grapes.

    This is from a 260m vineyards with the crushed and de-stemmed grapes spending 6 months in contact with the wine in Georgian anfora. Its then matured in large Slovenian oak case for approx. 24 months before bottling without any fining or filtration.
    2017
    White
    Italy
    391
  12. Lafaurie Peyraguey 2017 375ml
    Lafaurie Peyraguey 2017 375ml

    A wine of stunning beauty, the 2017 Lafaurie-Peyraguey is so remarkably vivid from the very first taste. All the elements simply fall into place effortlessly. Orchard fruit, tangerine, passion fruit mint and exotic floral overtones all grace this precise, wonderfully inviting Sauternes from Silvio Denz. Lafaurie-Peyraguey is pure and total finesse. (97) ANTONIO GALLONI

    A wine with fresh, clean botrytis influence and lemon curd, sliced apricot, dried apricot and apricot confiture. This has striking purity with such intense flavors of peach and apricot custard, apricot pastry and a very elegant and supple, fleshy-fruit texture with acidity that holds such freshness on the finish. Elegance and freshness meets power and purity. Concentrated in every respect - flavors, sugar and acidity. Drink now or age for a considerable time, as you prefer. (97) JAMES SUCKLING

    2017
    Sem/Sauv Blend
    France
  13. Vodopivec Vitovska Classika 2019
    Vodopivec Vitovska Classika 2019
    Paolo Vodopivec, his winery and six hectares of densely planted Vitovska are located in Carso, a plateau of shear limestone tucked between the border of Slovenia and the Adriatic Sea. Vodopivec was inspired by Josko Gravner. Like him, Vodopivec ages most of his wines in subterranean Georgian Amphora, followed by refinement in large neutral oak and a long stay in bottle before release. The results must be tasted to be believed. These are some of the top white wines being made in the world today, like cool-mountain air and liquid stone encapsulated in a bottle, yet with rich textural complexities that boggle the mind.

    Crushed rocks and dried flowers give way to peach skins and chamomile as the 2019 Vitovska blossoms in the glass. This is pure and lifted in style, graceful and finessed, quickly gaining a salty tension as young pit fruits and lemon nuances mingle. A salty flourish and flinty sensation come forward through the finale, adding a savory flair as the 2019 finishes with lasting concentration. So youthful today, the 2019 should age beautifully in collectors' cellars. ERIC GUIDO, Vinous
    2019
    White
    Italy
    493
  14. Coutet 2020
    Coutet 2020

    The 2020 Château Coutet is flat-out gorgeous, with a concentrated, powerful style in its caramelized orange, honeyed flowers, pineapple upside down cake, and toasty, spicy nuances. Rich, full-bodied, concentrated, and layered, it nevertheless stays focused, pure, and precise, with laser-like precision and vibrancy on the palate. This tour de force in Sauternes is going to pretty much just knock your socks off over the coming two decades. (97) JEB DUNNUCK

    A signature Coutet nose with burnt orange, caramelised peaches and floral flecks. Thick and intense, really lovely weight on the palate, deep yet juicy with high acidity that gives a tang to the palate. Lovely layers of sweetness, acidity and richness - concentrated and intense. Classy and stylish as always. Not as dazzling at this point as the 2019 was but this is still a lovely wine with plenty of enjoyment on offer. (95) DECANTER

    The 2020 Coutet has a pale lemon-gold color, waltzing out of the glass with energetic notes of lemon tart, pink grapefruit, green mango and lime blossoms, with hints of chopped almonds, clover honey, candle wax and straw, plus a waft of sea spray. The palate is all class, featuring ethereal intensity and amazing poise, enveloped in a satiny texture and seamless acidity, finishing long and mineral laced. Currently, while it is just a tick or so down on the impressive 2019, I love the restraint and energy of this 2020 and wouldn't be surprised if it eventually spreads its wings and surpasses its showier sibling over time (96) WINE ADVOCATE

    2020
    Sem/Sauv Blend
    France
    481
  15. Coutet 2009
    Coutet 2009

    A triumph for the vintage with spices, dried mushroom, dried pineapple, peaches, and honey. Full and sweet with bright acidity and a long, intense finish. Powerful wine. This could be the best Coutet ever. JAMES SUCKLING

    The Coutet 2009 is a sensational effort from Philippe Baly and his team. It has a fragrant nose of honey, vervain tea, pineapple, frangipane and apple-blossom, well defined if needing a little more vigour at the moment. The palate is vibrant on the entry, informed by touches of apricot and orange peel, very focused and tensile towards the long, sensuous, viscous finish. It has the same minerality exuded by Doisy-Daene and reminds me of a stellar '62 tasted just a few weeks previously. A magnificent Coutet. (98) NEAL MARTIN

    Intense exotic fruits abound, powerful apricot, nectarine, white flowers and white truffles with excellent bitter almonds on the finish that works so well as a counterpoint to the luxurious texture. I love this, silky and seductive yet strict. (97) DECANTER, tasted 2020


    2009
    Sem/Sauv Blend
    France
    481
  16. Coutet 2016
    Coutet 2016

    One of the top sweet wines in this report is the 2016 Château Coutet, which has the vintage's plush, opulent style as well as thrilling purity and good acids. Pineapple, white flowers, sugared peach, and honeyed notes all emerge from this full-bodied, layered, balanced Barsac that's already impossible to resist yet will evolve gracefully 2+ decades. (97) JEB DUNNUCK

    The vibrant, tropical fruit-coulis character draws you into this concentrated and elegant Barsac. Then the crisp acidity and a wave of lemon and mineral character comes through, driving the finish out in the direction of the horizon. (95) JAMES SUCKLING

    Oh that's lovely. Ginger and sumac spice, and a gorgeous richness with the perfect balance of minerality. Rich but pure botrytis character and gently curling smoky notes leap out of the glass. Amazing persistency, easily one of the best wines in the tasting. This is excellent; succulent and mouthwatering. (96) DECANTER

    With coaxing, the pale lemon colored 2016 Coutet slowly unfurls to give a myriad of preserved lemons, pineapple pastry, almond croissant, fresh ginger and lime blossoms scents with nuances of chalk dust, white pepper, star anise and cedar. Rich, seductive and yet exquisitely balanced, the satiny-textured palate has layer upon layer of citrus and savory notions, finishing very long and spicy. (97) WINE ADVOCATE

    2016
    Sem/Sauv Blend
    France
    481
  17. Climens 1996
    Climens 1996
    The 1996 Climens is attractive on the nose with vibrant scents of barley sugar, saffron, mandarin and melted wax. Fine delineation, it meliorates in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied, poised and a little more citrus than expected, tangerine and honey mixed with ginger towards the finish that fans out with confidence. Excellent. NEAL MARTIN, vinous
    1996
    Sem/Sauv Blend
    France
    356
  18. Cidrerie du Leguer Eau de Vie de Cidre 700ml
    Cidrerie du Leguer Eau de Vie de Cidre 700ml

    More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!

    Calvados
    France
    449
  19. Adrien Camut Pays D'Auge Calvados 6yrs 700ml
    Adrien Camut Pays D'Auge Calvados 6yrs 700ml

    More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!

    Calvados
    France
    449
  20. Giacomo Conterno 'Vigna Francia' Barbera d'Alba 2021
    Giacomo Conterno 'Vigna Francia' Barbera d'Alba 2021

    More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!

    2021
    Barbera
    Italy
    457
  21. Guiraud 2009
    Guiraud 2009

    More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!

    2009
    Sem/Sauv Blend
    France
    481
    $240.00
  22. Albino Rocca Barbaresco Angelo 2020
    Albino Rocca Barbaresco Angelo 2020
    The 2020 Barbaresco Angelo is an exotic wine. Macerated cherry, white ?owers, apricot and spice are some of the many notes that grace this sensual, super-expressive Barbaresco. Fine tannins wrap it all together while lifted ?oral accents frame the ?nish. The Angelo is beautifully done. (94) ANTONIO GALLONI, Vinous

    Angelo is a small blend of fruit from selected parcels across the estate. It was given a lunga macerazione (50 days on skins using a submerged cap) in a specially designed large-format wooden Stockinger fermenter. The wine was then aged for 24 months in a 2,000-litre cask. The blend is typically 50% Ronchi, 25% Ovello and 25% Montersino. Galloni has described it as a “Brunate of Barbaresco”, which gives you some insight into the quality on offer here.
    2021
    Barbera
    Italy
    457
  23. Giacomo Conterno 'Vigna Francia' Barbera d'Alba 2022
    Giacomo Conterno 'Vigna Francia' Barbera d'Alba 2022

    More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!

    2022
    Barbera
    Italy
    457
  24. Marchesi Alfieri Carlo Alfieri Barbera 2015
    Marchesi Alfieri Carlo Alfieri Barbera 2015
    The first vintage of Carlo Alfieri", Eder wrote, "contains the selection of the best vineyards of Marchesi [Alfieri], aged in wood and in the bottle for more than six years and produced in a limited number of 1,750 bottles. Captivating aromas of black cherry and chocolate, a complex mouth that is perfectly balanced by acidity and a sumptuous and extremely elegant finish. A great wine!". (19/20) Christian Eder, editor-in-chief for Italy of Vinum Europas Weinmagazin
    2015
    Barbera
    Italy
    457
  25. Christian Drouin Calvados 1995 700ml
    Christian Drouin Calvados 1995 700ml

    More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!

    1995
    Calvados
    France
  26. Clos Joliette J de Joliette NV
    Clos Joliette J de Joliette NV

    Regarded as one of the premier producers in Jurançon, Clos Joliette was founded in 1929, when the Migne family cleared forest in a natural southeast-facing amphitheater to plant a hectare of vines.
    The result has been an incredible selection of complex and aromatic off-dry wines, reflecting the reputation Antoine Gerbelle bestowed on the domaine as “the Romanee Conti of the South-West France”.

    What makes these wines so sought after is the combination of three unique aspects. First, its location. With only 1.85 hectares Clos Joliette sits at 300m altitude, on the slopes of the hill of Beauvallon (Commune of Jurancon). The vines were planted in 1929 by Madame Migné and exposed to the East and South-East in a natural amphitheater, allowing the grapes to capture the gentle morning sun, rather than afternoon heat.

    Second, an atypical terroir made of clay-silica, pudding stones, Ponto-Pliocene pebbles and crossed through by a vein of iron.

    Third, the wine itself - a single varietal 100% Petit Manseng, treated with minimal intervention throughout vinification, no fining or filtration, and long aging in oak barrels for 4 to 6 years.

    NV
    White
    France
    484
    $395.00
  27. Chateau d'Yquem 2022 375ml
    Chateau d'Yquem 2022 375ml

    More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!

    2022
    Sem/Sauv Blend
    France
    481
  28. Chateau d'Yquem 2021 375ml
    Chateau d'Yquem 2021 375ml

    Dreamy, subtle aromas of dried fruit such as apricots and mangoes, but also fresh lemons and pears. Then there are caramel and tart tatin undertones with some bananas, pineapple, tangerines and other tropical fruit. Full-bodied, yet it remains vivid and compact, giving it a lightness even though it is really structured. The tannins are throughout the palate but blend in perfectly, giving it a solid presence, like a a diamond. It's tight at the end, but you know that it will linger for ages, with a lightly chewy and intellectual finish. Touches of sweetness, cloves and bitterness to make it interesting. Dynamic. (100) JAMES SUCKLING

    I find this more direct and intense than the 2020. Yet this is also a wine that exudes balance and harmony, even at this nascent stage. Beautifully limpid and with a disguised natural power. Supremely aerial. Green apple skin. Saffron. Fresh ginger. A hint of confit ginger too. Lime. White grapefruit. A touch of fleur de sel. Marzipan. White almonds. Mango. Guava. Passionfruit. Pineapple - entirely pure and crisply fresh. All in great purity. This is floral, too. Mimosa. Buttercup (almost the leitmotif here). On the palate I find this tight and tense, yet so incredibly softly textured. And, above all, intense and captivating. Sparklingly striking and dynamic - and held together by the salinity as much as by the acidity, the two in fact working together, giving this an incredible aging potential. Delicate in its intensity. Sapid and with lovely waves of saline-inflected juicy fluidity. Even now this is a wine of very considerable complexity - built from assembling the finest botrytised grapes from the best of the couronne (the crown) of Bommes (with the Château of Yquem at the epicentre). This finishes with the most glorious bitter sugar note - burnt caramel just perfectly on the edge of bitterness. So accessible but so totally ageless and, for now, almost cool in its freshness. (99) COLIN HAY, Drinks Business

    Beautiful primary fruit boasting tropical complexity: mango, pineapple. Saltiness, according to the winemaker - and there is definitely savoury contrast in there. The marvel of this wine is its completeness - the stitching is so fine between the sugar, acidity, rich fruit and length. Opens up in the glass, with white chocolate, caramel, clotted cream, mixed peel, five-spice. As prestigious as ever, and so gratifying to drink right now. (19) JANCIS ROBINSON MW

    The complex aromatic profile explodes from the glass with pineapple, papaya, apricot, Meyer lemon, tangerine peels, caramel, honey, vanilla, saffron, cashews, and candied grapefruit in the aromatic profile. The palate resides perfectly in the middle of hedonism, and vibrancy. Clearly, there is ample sweetness, but the racy acidity provides incredible lift, energy, and length. The fruit expresses purity in its tangerines, oranges, mango, papaya, banana, and pineapples all slathered in honey. This is one of those Yquem's that can be enjoyed either as a sweet wine, or due to its vibrancy, with a diverse array of savory, and spicy dishes. Produced from a blend of 65% Semillon and 35% Sauvignon Blanc, 148 Grams per liter, 14% ABV, 3.79 pH. Yields were only 8 hectoliters per hectare. The harvest took place over an extended time, September 12 - October 27, with 4 passes in total. As you can see, the harvest was quite long, but picking the heart of vintage took place mid-to late October. (98) WINE CELLAR INSIDER

    2021
    Sem/Sauv Blend
    France
    481
  29. Doisy Daene L'Extravagant 2015 375mL
    Doisy Daene L'Extravagant 2015 375mL

    More product information will be added here soon! In the meantime, if you do have any questions at all about this product or others in our store, you can contact us by phone or email. Our friendly and experienced team are always happy to assist - we love drinking, selling, talking about and being in and around wine!

    2015
    Sem/Sauv Blend
    France
    356
  30. Joliette 2012
    Joliette 2012


    Regarded as one of the premier producers in Jurançon, Clos Joliette was founded in 1929, when the Migne family cleared forest in a natural southeast-facing amphitheater to plant a hectare of vines.
    The result has been an incredible selection of complex and aromatic off-dry wines, reflecting the reputation Antoine Gerbelle bestowed on the domaine as “the Romanee Conti of the South-West France”.

    What makes these wines so sought after is the combination of three unique aspects. First, its location. With only 1.85 hectares Clos Joliette sits at 300m altitude, on the slopes of the hill of Beauvallon (Commune of Jurancon). The vines were planted in 1929 by Madame Migné and exposed to the East and South-East in a natural amphitheater, allowing the grapes to capture the gentle morning sun, rather than afternoon heat.

    Second, an atypical terroir made of clay-silica, pudding stones, Ponto-Pliocene pebbles and crossed through by a vein of iron.

    Third, the wine itself - a single varietal 100% Petit Manseng, treated with minimal intervention throughout vinification, no fining or filtration, and long aging in oak barrels for 4 to 6 years.

    2012
    White
    France
    $750.00
  31. Coutet 1967
    Coutet 1967
    2 bottles available at time of offer
    1967
    Sem/Sauv Blend
    France
    481
  32. Chateau d'Yquem 2021
    Chateau d'Yquem 2021

    Dreamy, subtle aromas of dried fruit such as apricots and mangoes, but also fresh lemons and pears. Then there are caramel and tart tatin undertones with some bananas, pineapple, tangerines and other tropical fruit. Full-bodied, yet it remains vivid and compact, giving it a lightness even though it is really structured. The tannins are throughout the palate but blend in perfectly, giving it a solid presence, like a a diamond. It's tight at the end, but you know that it will linger for ages, with a lightly chewy and intellectual finish. Touches of sweetness, cloves and bitterness to make it interesting. Dynamic. (100) JAMES SUCKLING

    I find this more direct and intense than the 2020. Yet this is also a wine that exudes balance and harmony, even at this nascent stage. Beautifully limpid and with a disguised natural power. Supremely aerial. Green apple skin. Saffron. Fresh ginger. A hint of confit ginger too. Lime. White grapefruit. A touch of fleur de sel. Marzipan. White almonds. Mango. Guava. Passionfruit. Pineapple - entirely pure and crisply fresh. All in great purity. This is floral, too. Mimosa. Buttercup (almost the leitmotif here). On the palate I find this tight and tense, yet so incredibly softly textured. And, above all, intense and captivating. Sparklingly striking and dynamic - and held together by the salinity as much as by the acidity, the two in fact working together, giving this an incredible aging potential. Delicate in its intensity. Sapid and with lovely waves of saline-inflected juicy fluidity. Even now this is a wine of very considerable complexity - built from assembling the finest botrytised grapes from the best of the couronne (the crown) of Bommes (with the Château of Yquem at the epicentre). This finishes with the most glorious bitter sugar note - burnt caramel just perfectly on the edge of bitterness. So accessible but so totally ageless and, for now, almost cool in its freshness. (99) COLIN HAY, Drinks Business

    Beautiful primary fruit boasting tropical complexity: mango, pineapple. Saltiness, according to the winemaker - and there is definitely savoury contrast in there. The marvel of this wine is its completeness - the stitching is so fine between the sugar, acidity, rich fruit and length. Opens up in the glass, with white chocolate, caramel, clotted cream, mixed peel, five-spice. As prestigious as ever, and so gratifying to drink right now. (19) JANCIS ROBINSON MW

    The complex aromatic profile explodes from the glass with pineapple, papaya, apricot, Meyer lemon, tangerine peels, caramel, honey, vanilla, saffron, cashews, and candied grapefruit in the aromatic profile. The palate resides perfectly in the middle of hedonism, and vibrancy. Clearly, there is ample sweetness, but the racy acidity provides incredible lift, energy, and length. The fruit expresses purity in its tangerines, oranges, mango, papaya, banana, and pineapples all slathered in honey. This is one of those Yquem's that can be enjoyed either as a sweet wine, or due to its vibrancy, with a diverse array of savory, and spicy dishes. Produced from a blend of 65% Semillon and 35% Sauvignon Blanc, 148 Grams per liter, 14% ABV, 3.79 pH. Yields were only 8 hectoliters per hectare. The harvest took place over an extended time, September 12 - October 27, with 4 passes in total. As you can see, the harvest was quite long, but picking the heart of vintage took place mid-to late October. (98) WINE CELLAR INSIDER

    2021
    Sem/Sauv Blend
    France
    481
  33. Chateau d'Yquem 2010
    Chateau d'Yquem 2010
    Sauternes (First Growth)

    Picked predominantly over 10 days from October 14, the 2010 d’Yquem has 141gms/L residual sugar and pH 3.80. It is a slow-burner, the nose understated at first but unfurling with each passing moment with subtle scents of freshly sliced apricots, Clementine, clear honey and white flowers. There is an underlying minerality that really defines this bouquet. The palate is similar to the nose, revealing hidden facets with almost each swirl of the glass – orange blossom, limestone, white peach and honeysuckle. This is such a precise d’Yquem; it is after you have swallowed the wine that one comprehends just how brilliant it is. NEAL MARTIN

    At the first tastings this vintage was often compared, on account of its liveliness, to the wonderful ’88. The same kind of vibrancy and “nerve” was mingling into the botrytis complexity in a similar way.  Now, whilst it has retained all these vibrant qualities, the wine has clearly softened and the comparison should maybe now include a touch of ’89?  Whatever, this is a great vintage of Yquem, in a prettier style to the monumental keeper vintages such as 09 or 05. BILL BLATCH

    Drink 2025-2055. ‘2010 was a cool year for us.’  Winter and autumn cold, good dry, warm summer.  Very healthy grapes, though quite a bit of rain on the flowering.  A bit of coulure on Sauvignon so less than usual in the blend, just 13% compared to the usual 20%.  Pale gold with slight greenness.  Gorgeous, classic nose.  Pear juice a go-go.  Absolutely stunning freshness as well as all the botrytis.  Classic.  Real punchy perfect savoury Sauternes.  Zesty and lovely with some chew on the end.  No shortage of botrytis.  Very distinctive and much less sweet than 2009.  (155 g/l in 2009, 141 g/l in 2010).  Refined finish.  Finished 5 Nov.  Five passes.  Real punch and zest.  Grapefruit peel.  But not a massive sweet bomb.  Alcohol 13.55%. JANCIS ROBINSON

    PLEASE NOTE THIS WINE IS OFFERED EN PRIMEUR AND YOU WILL BE CHARGED THE FINAL (NOW) PRICE LESS 20% WITH THE BALANCE DUE WHEN THE WINE ARRIVES IN 2013.
    2010
    Sem/Sauv Blend
    France
    481
    $1,615.00
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