The 2021 Chateau d'Yquem Sauternes Blend is a white wine originating from the Bordeaux region of France, specifically the Sauternes sub-region. This vintage features a blend of 65% Sémillon and 35% Sauvignon Blanc, with a notable 148 grams per liter of residual sugar, making it the sweetest Yquem since 2017. The wine is bottled at 13.9% alcohol and has a pH of 3.79. A total of 54,000 bottles were produced, and the wine was matured in all-new barrels, although the new oak is described as being seamlessly integrated.
Neal Martin of Vinous rated the wine 96 points, praising its "very attractive bouquet with scents of dried quince, clementine, linseed, and subtle candle wax." He noted the wine's medium-bodied and viscous nature, with a lighter chassis compared to recent vintages, prioritizing "poise and purity over horsepower." Martin also highlighted that the wine opens wonderfully in the glass, gaining more frangipane and kaki fruit scents.
The Wine Independent's review, which awarded the wine 97 points, describes the 2021 d'Yquem as pale lemon-gold in color with "perfumed notes of orange peel, juicy peaches, grapefruit, and honeycomb." The palate is noted for its "fantastically satiny" texture, "great tension," and "epic length with a zesty lift." This review emphasizes the wine's relatively rich style and the complex interplay of citrusy flavors complemented by spicy sparks.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate gave the wine a score of 95, describing it as having a "complex bouquet of rose, exotic fruits, and mandarin orange mingled with spring flowers, rose, and crème brûlée." The palate is described as "medium to full-bodied, ample and seamless," with a long finish accentuated by a delicate bitterness that offsets the high residual sugar.
Jeff Leve of TheWineCellarInsider.com provided an excellent review with a score of 98 points. He highlighted the wine's "complex aromatic profile" featuring a medley of pineapple, papaya, apricot, Meyer lemon, tangerine peels, caramel, honey, vanilla, saffron, cashews, and candied grapefruit. Leve noted that the wine strikes a perfect balance between sweetness and racy acidity, offering "incredible lift, energy, and length." He suggested that the wine could be enjoyed either as a sweet wine or paired with a diverse array of savory and spicy dishes.
In summary, the 2021 Chateau d'Yquem Sauternes Blend is a highly praised wine, noted for its complex aromas, balanced sweetness, and vibrant acidity. It is poised to be a versatile and enjoyable wine, suitable for a range of occasions and pairings.
