Chateau dYquem   dYquem

2005 d'Yquem

By Chateau d'Yquem

2005 d’Yquem from Chateau d’Yquem, Sauternes, Bordeaux, France

In the tapestry of noble dessert wines, the 2005 d’Yquem from Chateau d’Yquem represents a particularly resplendent patch. The already legendary Sauternes producer has, in this year, outdone itself to create a vintage that readily joins the pantheon of its most illustrious ancestors.

 

Evoking Elegance: The 2005 Vintage Defined

The year 2005 bore the hallmarks of an exceptional vintage across Bordeaux. The climatic conditions - a warm, dry summer followed by ideal September rains - conspired to produce fruit of exemplary concentration. In Sauternes, this providence bestowed upon Chateau d’Yquem's vineyards grapes swathed in Botrytis cinerea, the 'noble rot' which is so crucial to the alchemy that occurs in their cellars.

The 2005 d’Yquem captivates with an aromatic complexity that ranges from the ethereal fragrance of orange blossom and wild honey to the earthy depths of saffron and candied ginger. On the palate, it unfurls with an opulent array of stone fruits and tropical notes – think peaches steeped in spicy syrup and papaya with a suggestion of crème brûlée. Destiny has woven a taut structure of acidity through the richness, ensuring that each sip carries with it a refreshing clarity - a deft counterpoint to its luscious sweetness.

 

A Vintage Investment: The Jewel of 2005

The longevity potential of the 2005 d’Yquem cannot be understated; its meticulous balance presages a capacity to evolve gracefully for decades. Astute investors and collectors will note that such capability adds lustre to an already compelling proposition. To possess even a single bottle is to lay claim to a piece of vinicultural magnificence that can only emanate from the venerated hallmarks of Chateau d’Yquem.

Circumspect consideration deems the 2005 d’Yquem a paragon amongst sweet wines; surely one for posterity. It weaves upon one’s palate an epic narrative that, once sipped, enters into legend – as sublime and enduring as those whispered tales that hover over fog-laced Sauternes vineyards. In this lies not merely an investment in wine but an inveigle into history’s richly hued tapestry.

Market price (CAD)

$5,320.00

12x75cl

Highest score

97

POP score

188.24

Scores and tasting notes

97

The pale to medium lemon-gold colored 2005 d'Yquem opens with a provocative, mineral and earth-tinged nose of chalk dust, wet pebbles and dried wild mushrooms over a core of warm apricots, green mango, honeyed toast, ginger and pink grapefruit plus wafts of honeycomb, orange blossoms and saffron. The palate confirms the wine is still a little closed and shut down, offering achingly gorgeous glimpses at the tightly wound, intricate layers structured with a racy acid line and wonderfully creamy texture, finishing incredibly long and perfumed. This decadent flavor bomb still needs a good five to seven years in bottle before it is set to go off, but oh what a spectacle it will give then!

Lisa Perrotti-Brown - The Wine Advocate, 30 August 2019

95-98

No tasting note available.

Robert Parker Jr - Wine Advocate #176 April 2008

95

What an incredible nose of flowers, honey, spices such as clove, and sandalwood. With time, decadent aromas of apple tart and crumble develop. Full and very round on the palate, this is medium sweet with a velvety texture. Flavors of honey, apple and pear tart appear on the long finish. This is so beautiful, hard not to drink now but will greatly improve with more time. 140 grams of RS.

James Suckling - jamessuckling.com, May 29th 2012

93+

Tasted single blind at Southwold. This is a little blowsy on the nose at first, presence of warm alcohol, honeyed fruit, lanolin and yellow flowers. It needs to calm down because the palate exudes class. Beautifully balanced, good minerality, fine tension with touches of acacia honey, citrus lemon, Satsuma and quince towards the finish. Very well defined but needs time to be tamed. Drink 2012-2040. Tasted January 2009.

Neal Martin - Wine Journal Jul 2009

Vintage performance