2021, Château d'Yquem, SAUTERNES, 1er Grand Cru Classé Superieur, 375ml Demie/Half BottleThe 2021 Yquem was tasted in Amsterdam, the first wine poured at a lunch, thereby allowing me a longer period to examine it. Slightly burnished in hue, it has a very attractive bouquet with scents of dried quince, clementine, linseed and subtle candle wax, perhaps more discrete than usual, but certainly fresh and vibrant. The palate is medium bodied and viscous on the entry, a Yquem with perhaps a lighter chassis than recent vintages, prioritising

long and firmer built-to-age finale

pure fruit

Drinking Window: 2022 - 2027

all in its place with detail and definition

leaning more towards black fruit with light undergrowth scents

it's a pure

the 2021 Pinot Noir The Beaux Frères Vineyard opens slowly in the glass

plus a small portion of Semillon grown at the Bolgheri estate

taut and layered palate that's seamless and complete

The wood can also be found on the caressing yet powerful larger-scaled flavours that coat the palate with sappy dry extract that also helps to buffer the firm tannic spine shaping the impressively long

mineral tannins

clean and complete with hints of cinnamon spice and just-toasted bread providing the frame and structure reminding you that this is built to last