Château d'Yquem - Sauternes 2014

Vinous

94-97 / 100

par Antonio Galloni le 11/05/2015

The 2014 d'Yquem is exceptionally beautiful for so many reasons, not the least of which is a striking juxtaposition of bright, floral/citrus notes of the early picks, before botrytis had set in, with richer, more tropical-inflected nuances that resulted from the later picks, where rot had developed. In other words, the 2014 is a wine of sublime contrasts, which is one of the qualities that often define the truly great wines. Lemon peal, coconut, jasmine, peach jam and brioche are some of the aromas and flavors that are present today, but above all else it is the wine's textural finesse that elevates the 2014 into the stratosphere. The precise, understated finish is striking. There isn't much else to say except that the 2014 Yquem is a real stunner.

The Wine Cellar Insider

96-96 / 100

par Jeff Leve le 05/05/2015

Very much on the honeyed, citrus side of the style range. Lots of sweet, ripe, very ripe and over ripe yellow fruits, ranging from pineapple and grapefruits to candied lemons. There is a lot of sweetness to the wine, paired with bracing acidity at 4.9 grams per liter, coupled with 135 grams of residual sugar, for those of you that like the numbers. This could be a thinking man's Yquem.

Asian Palate

96 / 100

par Jeannie Cho Lee MW le 20/04/2015

Great purity and balance with lifted, sweet floral notes, caramelized orange peel and dried apricots. A lovely wine with balance and fresh, firm acidity in this vintage with 135 g/L of sugar. Purity and precision are the hallmarks of this wine.

Jancis Robinson

19 / 20

par Jancis Robinson le 15/04/2015

Everything was very early, although they are always a week earlier at Yquem. Harvest started on 8 October with grapes slightly dried as well as botrytised. These grapes gave great freshness. They picked up until 28 October thanks to at least three botrytis infections. 15% passerillé grapes. TA 4.9 g/l (= 7.5 g/l expressed as tartaric) – a record. RS 135 g/l. 
Bright gold with a green note. Intense freshness on the nose. Fabulous nose of richness and freshness. The residual sugar is not high but the balance is great. Lime and pears and great richness and almost like a fruit juice, it’s so refreshing yet dense and sweet. 

Jamessuckling.com

97-98 / 100

par James Suckling le 10/04/2015

A crazy combination of botrytis, dried fruits and freshness. It's not the sweetness Yquem but it has an extraordinary depth of fruit and freshness. It goes on for minutes. Spicy and intense. A stunning young wine. A brightness and fabulous depth of fruit.

timatkin.com

97 / 100

par Tim Atkin MW le 07/04/2015

René Gabriel

19 / 20

par René Gabriel le 01/04/2015

Wie immer auf Cheval Blanc verkostet. 135 Gramm Restzucker. Mitteldunkles Gelb. Er zeigt ein sehr frisches Bouquet mit viel zitronigem Schimmer und noch mehr gelben Früchten wie Mirabellen und gekochtem, weissem Pfirsich, weil der Druck nicht übermässig ist, kommt die intensive Botrytis sehr gut zum Tragen. Im Gaumen sublim, frisch und extrem elegant. Seine mögliche Überlegenheit zu anderen Crus ist in den Finessen zu suchen. So ist denn dieser geniale Yquem auch nicht so schwerfällig wie in anderen ganz grossen Jahren, sondern zeigt gar eine schier tänzerische Variante auf. Er wird früh gefallen und mit einem sehr langen Finale aufwarten. Dafür sorgt seine perfekte Balance. 19/20 2025 – 2080

Wine Enthusiast

98 / 100

par Roger Voss le 01/04/2015

97–99. Barrel Sample. Apricot tones with lively acidity give this rich wine a vein of freshness. Pear and white peach notes offer weight, while a lime backbone brings levity. There is a richness from the botrytis that is lifted by this wines delicious freshness.

Wine Spectator

96-99 / 100

par James Molesworth le 27/03/2015

This is beguiling, with acacia, jasmine and honeysuckle notes leading the way, followed by refined peach, tangerine and yellow apple fruit flavors. Very long, with a lemon chiffon note lingering delicately. Tasted non-blind.—J.M.