Yquem tasting

Tasting of wines from Château d'Yquem at Hong Kong Wine Vault, with Thomas Robert and Louis Valette from the château.

It was a great chance to taste the trio of recent vintages. We were told that the 2021 was on the lighter side, 2022 on the rich side, and the 2023 was a nice balance between the two.

2023 Yquem - very floral, lots of lychee, so much saffron and honey, as well as apricot. This was so fragrant and beautiful.

2022 Yquem - more acetone and a bit sharper on the nose at first, maybe even a little waxy. Still got the floral, saffron notes. It was also very much richer and sweeter on the palate, very big on the palate, and sooo unctuous.

2021 Yquem - this was a bit leaner on the nose, with some vanilla and bubblegum, orange blossom water, saffron, honey, and a hint of acetone. Not so sweet on the palate and came with a little bit of bitterness on the finish, like marmalade.

2017 Ygrec, en magnum - very flinty on the nose, plenty of pipi de chat. Good acidity on the palate with a long finish. This was a little on the warm side, and tasted thick and tannic on the palate.

2007 Yquem - nice and rich, but not as big as the 2022. I do love that classic honey, saffron, and apricot blend.