Sauternes Without Rival
Château d'Yquem 1989, 1990, 1995, 2005
Historical Vintages Ready for the Table,
the Cellar... or the Next Century
Yquem has no peers.
There are few names in the world of fine wine that conjure up the gravitas, the history, the emotion that Sauternes' legendary Château d'Yquem does.
This is a wine without peers; the sole Sauternes classified as a Great First Growth in the original classification of 1855. It remains the sole Premier Cru Supérieur in Sauternes.
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Today we're pleased to offer a mini-vertical of four great vintages from the past two decades, each and every bottle at very sharp pricing - indeed among the lowest pricing in the nation.
Everyone knows the name "Yquem," fewer people have actually tasted the wine. Yquem is not shy; it is dense and lavish, yet also detailed with nuances of earth, spice, flower and fruit. As with great Burgundy, it's a wine that unfolds over hours, days, presenting itself in different lights as it opens in the glass.
This is also a wine that comes as close to immortality as any out there. Stories of Yquem still being fresh and vivacious after a century are not rare. On the flip side, opportunities to buy back-vintage bottles sharply priced in decent quantity and with great provenance are rare.
Which brings us to a tricky subject: Yquem pricing.
Because Yquem's name is so well known, this is one of those wines that has become a commodity, plain and simple. Which means that you have hundreds of people who find bottles and cases tucked away in their grandmother's closet, rushing with them to their nearest wine merchant with dollar signs in their eyes. Some of these older bottles that end up in the market are likely pristine, others are likely damaged goods.
So how do you buy in a market where compare at pricing is essentially meaningless? You look for pricing below the average and, importantly, you buy from a trusted merchant.
Please give us your maximum order, but note that all orders are subject to confirmation. Reply email us at offers@crushwineco.com or call the store at (212) 980-9463 to order.
Ian McFadden
Director, Fine & Rare Wine
Crush Wine & Spirits
Wine Advocate: "The favorite sweet wine of millionaires, Chateau d'Yquem has, not unexpectedly, turned in a brilliant effort with their newly released 1989. It is a large-scaled, massively rich, unctuously-textured wine that should evolve effortlessly for a half century or more. It does not reveal the compelling finesse and complexity of the 1988 or 1986, but it is a far heavier, richer wine than either of those vintages. It is reminiscent of the 1976, with additional fat and glycerin. The wine is extremely alcoholic and rich, with a huge nose of smoky, honey-covered coconuts and overripe pineapples and apricots. As with most young vintages of Yquem, the wine's structure is barely noticeable. These wines are so highly extracted and rich yet approachable young, it is difficult to believe they will last for 50 or more years. The 1989 is the richest Yquem made in the eighties, and it has an edge in complexity over the powerhouse 1983. It remains to be seen whether this wine will develop the extraordinary aromatic complexity possessed by the promising 1988 and 1986 Yquems. Last tasted 11/97"
1990 Yquem (375ml)
Wine Advocate: "1990: An extraordinary effort, Yquem's 1990 is a rich and fabulously superb, sweet wine. This wine also possesses lots of elegance and finesse. The wine's medium gold color is accompanied by an exceptionally sweet nose of honeyed tropical fruits, peaches, coconut, and apricots. High quality, subtle toasty oak is well-integrated. The wine is massive on the palate, with layers of intensely ripe botrytis-tinged, exceptionally sweet fruit. Surprisingly well-integrated acidity, and a seamless, full-bodied power and richness have created a wine of remarkable harmony and purity. Certainly it is one of the richest Yquems I have ever tasted, with 50-100 years of potential longevity. An awesome Yquem! Anticipated maturity: 2003-2050+.
1995 Yquem (750ml)
Bizarrely, there is no Parker review for this wine available online; however he has rated it very well in some of his print publications.
2005 Yquem (375ml)
Wine Advocate: "Somewhat muted floral aromas of jasmine, orange blossom and honeysuckle over candied pineapple. A waft of anise and some cedar. The palate is quite restrained with well balanced sweetness versus medium to high acidity. Very long finish – a mineral character coming through. Tasted August 2009."
1989 and 2005 in stock; 1990 and 1995 pre-arrival
NET | No further discount