The 2016 Chateau d'Yquem is a standout example of a Sauternes blend, produced in the renowned Bordeaux region of France. This white wine, bottled under cork, boasts an alcohol content of 14%. Chateau d'Yquem is known for its high-quality wines, and the 2016 vintage has not disappointed, garnering exceptional reviews from critics across the board.
James Suckling awarded the 2016 Chateau d'Yquem an impressive score of 99, describing it as "breathtakingly wide spectrum of floral honey, exotic fruit (passion fruit, mango, and pineapple), caramel, and marzipan aromas." Suckling emphasized the wine’s precision and nuanced complexity, noting its "wonderful freshness and textural complexity, in spite of the considerable concentration and extravagance."
Jeb Dunnuck also rated this vintage highly with a score of 99, calling it "pure magic" and stating that "dessert wines don’t get much better." He highlighted the wine's "pale gold color," "blockbuster bouquet of honeyed tangerines, tart apricots, liquid rocks, white flowers, and honeysuckle," and praised its "full-bodied richness, an opulent texture, [and] vibrant acidity."
Vinous' Neal Martin gave the wine a score of 95, appreciating its "attractive nose with white chocolate, chamomile, and Chinese white tea infusing the honeyed fruit." Martin noted the wine's "very well defined and focused" character with "more cohesion than previous bottles," and a palate that is "medium-bodied with a viscous opening."
Wine Enthusiast, in a barrel sample review, rated it between 95 and 97, describing the bouquet's "aromas of honey and citrus" and the wine's "opulent mouthfeel with honeyed flavors," while pointing out the underlying acidity that promises excellent aging potential.
Other notable reviews include Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, which gave it a score of 96, and highlighted its "precise, harmonic, deep bouquet with aromas of mango, lychee, jasmine, exotic fruits, dry apricot, and menthol." The Wine Independent's Lisa Perrotti-Brown rated the wine 98, praising its "energetic scents" and "decadently creamy texture."
Decanter and Wine Spectator also provided high scores of 97 and 94, respectively. Decanter noted the wine's "rich botrytis character" balanced with "delicacy," while Wine Spectator described its "exotic, lush and seductive notes."
Overall, the 2016 Chateau d'Yquem is a highly-acclaimed wine that combines richness, complexity, and elegance, making it a valuable addition to any wine collection.