Grapelive Special Review
By Kerry Winslow
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1999 Chateau d’ Yquem Sauternes, White Bordeaux Sweet Wine, France.
Never ever let a chance to taste d’ Yquem pass you by, it is always magic and wonderful, that much better with friends and or lovers, lucky me I had friends around, though of course it would have been just that much better to have my someone special around too, but it did make me think of her! It is hard to imagine not smiling and being giddy when tasting this wonderful sweet wine that is like no other. Chateau d’ Yquem is sublime and worlds apart from anything else and lives up to all the hype with ease. This vintage shows the best of this famous Sauternes, but it is still very young and a touch simple for d’ Yquem, though it is not a complaint, it is just my view at this stage of development. The nose is rich with honey, vanilla and sweet smoky spices with hints of citrus and tropical fruit, which leads into a warm and lush palate of figs, lemon tart, candied pineapple and passion fruit all thickly wrapped together, but with life and vibrant charm. The finish is very impressive and lingers on and on with again a sweet smokiness and with more fig, orange honey and peach notes. ($129 375ml, or $200 750ml Est.) 94-96 Points, grapelive
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