2020 Chateau d'Yquem

As the only Sauternes property classified as Premier Cru Superieur, drinking a bottle of Chateau d'Yquem is an experience unlike any other. Situated in the epicentre of prime sweet wine production in France, their unique position and wealth of soil profiles allows d'Yquem to produce wines of enormous complexity with consistent accumulation of botrytis often in years when others struggle.

2020 was another in the trio of warm and dry vintages for Sauternes, and the team at d'Yquem ended up picking the grapes in two main periods starting with much of the Sauvignon Blanc in late September. This was followed by the bulk of the botrytised grapes from 18th October. The final blend is a very classic 75% Semillon and 25% Sauvignon Blanc, with 135g/L residual sugar perfectly balanced by ample ripe acidity giving definition to the complex fruit profile.

Other Reviews....
The 2020 Château d'Yquem a blend of 75% Sémillon and 25% Sauvignon Blanc. It has 135 grams per liter of residual sugar and a pH of 3.79. Pale lemon-gold colored, citrus and baking spice notes emerge slowly from the glass, rising to offer well-defined scents of candied ginger, orange blossoms, allspice, and almond tart, leading to a flamboyant core of peach cobbler, ripe, juicy pineapple, jasmine tea, and apple butter with a waft of saffron. The palate is full-bodied and characteristically rich, yet possesses impressive tension and therefore stunning harmony. Layers of exotic spices and fragrant white flower accents fill the palate, leading to a long finish with lingering chalk and mineral nuances. It’s a showy Yquem that is gregarious in youth but is reserving that extra something for those with the patience to wait twenty years or more.
97 points
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW - The Wine Independant

On the fresh, bright vibrant, racy side of the style range with a focus on its complex core of honeysuckle, dried oranges, apricots, lemon curd, saffron, marzipan, pineapple, vanilla, and just the right drizzle of honey to top everything off. It is cut, and defined, with length, purity, lift, and ample acidities giving lift, length, and vibrancy, as well as richness, balance, and complexity. I love this style of d'Yquem because it works as a sweet wine that can be enjoyed either on its own or with a myriad of savory courses. So, if you cannot keep your hands off it, enjoy it on the young side for all its luscious, sweet, ripe, overripe, racy fruits, or age it for decades as it gains secondary nuances. Drink from 2025-2065.
98 points
Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar Insider