A few weeks ago, we offered half-bottles of 1989 Yquem and the offer blew up in a way that we never imagined.

Today, we're happy to go from strength-to-strength and offer half-bottles of 1988, one of our personal favorites.

Yquem has no peers. Within their illustrious history, the 1988, along with the 1989, is a legend.

Equally important, the '88 and '89 are bookends. Whereas '89 has sculpted, enveloping grandeur, the '88 is very much about electrifying finesse and nervy detail.

In short, '88 Yquem is an absolutely stunning and nearly immortal Sauternes.

Yquem was the sole Sauternes classified as a Great First Growth in the original classification of 1855. It remains the sole Premier Cru Supérieur in Sauternes. Curnonsky, the famous 20th century Parisian "Prince of Gastronomes" included Yquem (along with Montrachet) among "the five great white wines of France.”

Yquem delivers an aristocratic, dizzying complexity. It's jam-packed with nuance and an almost overwhelming impact. The breadth and depth of Yquem is insane. There are dried fruits, flowers, spice and an elusive nuttiness that ranges from marzipan to hazelnuts.

What makes 1988 a standout is the elegant thread of acidity that gracefully cuts through the richness and density. It gives the wine an energizing lift and really casts all the elements in dynamic relief.

There's little doubt that '88 will go down as one of the great vintages of one of the finest dessert wines on earth. The lifespan is as shocking as the wine itself. There's an abundance of stories of Yquems that have seen their 100th birthday.

To order, please email us at offers@crushwineco.com or call the store at (212) 980-9463.

Ian McFadden

Director, Fine & Rare Wine
Crush Wine & Spirits