1971 d'Yquem, Sauternes

“Finally, one of my favorite vintages of Sauternes: the ethereal 1971 d’Yquem. Fingers crossed I will be reaching a significant milestone in February, so just in case something untoward happens between now and then, why not open this bottle? It was acquired many moons ago when it sold for a fraction of its present market price, principally because it lies in the shadow of the lauded, and in my contentious opinion inferior, 1967. This vintage has been cruising at a high altitude for a few years now. Gleaning the château records, it was picked over 10 days from October 6, yielding a small vintage of just 228 barrels. It has a dark straw hue with green tints on the rim. The bouquet is stunning and exudes the same energy that I have found on previous examples, with scents of dried honey, Seville orange marmalade and melted candle wax. The delineation is enthralling. The palate has retained that almost Tokaji Aszú–like personality underpinned by wonderful acidity that renders this Yquem so tensile. Delivering orange peel and apricot, lemon curd and crushed stone, it has wonderful lip-smacking salinity and superb length. A brilliant Yquem still full of vim and vigor, one that should give another couple of decades’ drinking pleasure. (NM)” (01/2021)

“The 1971 Yquem is medium to deep amber in color. The nose is a little broody and disappointingly flat to begin, but allow it about 15 to 30 minutes of aeration and it will wake up and sing with wonderfully nuanced notes of lemon verbena tea, preserved mandarin peel, and ginger cake, leading to fragrant wafts of honey-coated walnuts, brown sugar, and Earl Grey tea. The palate is refreshing and delicately styled – it seems relatively dry, in fact – with great tension and a zesty lift on the finish. A beautiful wine. (LPB)” (09/2023)

“A celebrated vintage--a beautiful wine. Thick, rich and dense, with banana, tropical, dried fig flavors. The texture is creamy and the balance is marvelous. (PM)” (05/1999)