1999 d'Yquem
By Chateau d'Yquem
1999 d'Yquem from Chateau d'Yquem, Sauternes, Bordeaux
A beacon of opulence within the vinous realm, the 1999 d'Yquem from Chateau d'Yquem reveals a particularly distinctive chapter in the storied annals of Sauternes. This vintage stands out as a testament to the estate’s unyielding quest for excellence, despite the climatic hurdles besieging Bordeaux that year.
Eminence in a Challenging Year
The year 1999 presented a compendium of climatic challenges that culminated in a harvest demanding both precision and faith from the vintners at Chateau d'Yquem. A copious flowering ensued in June, followed by trepidations wrought by fluctuating periods of dryness and precipitation throughout the summer. Yet, the true character of this wine was shaped by an Indian summer, which bestowed upon the vineyard the benediction of optimal ripeness and the noble rot so crucial to Sauternes' unique allure.
A Vintage Vintage
Tasting the 1999 vintage is akin to delving into an intricate dance between vivacious acidity and sumptuous sweetness. The resultant elixir harmonises apricot, mango, and quince confit layered over intricate strands of honeyed complexity and toasted almond finesse. This is a connoisseur’s retreat into a labyrinthine garden of flavours where each sip reveals another hidden turn — be it a whisper of ginger or a sigh of crème brûlée.
Sublime balance marks the 1999 d'Yquem from Chateau d'Yquem as an investment piece as well as a sensory delight. It epitomises a remarkable resilience amidst adversity, capturing the elements in a bottle to proffer luxury and longevity.
The investment-worthiness of this vintage emerges from its singularity among its peers; poised between strength and sensuality, it captures not merely the moment but also promises potential for profound evolution. The 1999 d'Yquem is undoubtedly an arresting expression — one that celebrates both the trials and triumphs rendered by nature's caprice.
In summary, the 1999 d'Yquem from Chateau d'Yquem encapsulates an extraordinary vintage with its elegant tapestry of concentrated fruit and aromatic opulence interlaced with poised acidity. For collectors and investors alike, its commanding presence is underpinned by its capacity for graceful ageing, rendering it a magnanimous addition to any aficionado’s cellar or portfolio.
Market price (GBP)
£3,290.00
12x75cl
Highest score
92
POP score
274.17
Scores and tasting notes
No tasting note available.
Robert Parker Jr - Wine Advocate #158 April 2005
Medium gold in color, the 1999 d'Yquem has shed its puppy fat and transformed into compelling cinnamon toast, creme caramel and cashew notions with emerging notes of beurre blanc, honeycomb, ginger snaps and praline over a core of peach preserves and apple pie. The palate is softly spoken with a refreshing backbone carrying loads of delicate savory and stone fruit preserves nuances to a long, beautifully restrained finish. At the 20-year mark, this wine is in the midst of its ideal drinking window, and while I hasten to add that there is no rush to drink up, there’s also no need to delay your gratification either. The alcohol this vintage is 13.8%, while the residual sugar is 128 grams per liter, and the total acidity is 4.5 grams per liter of H2SO4.
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - The Wine Advocate, 30 August 2019
I have tasted the Yquem '99 a number of times recently and I feel that I was too harsh in my reading of it back in 2006, when it amidst a sulky adolescence. Here, the nose is still a little conservative but more expressive with scents of butterscotch, tangerine, pear skin and white flowers that becomes increasingly 'heady' with aeration, as if it belatedly became aware of its importance. The palate is viscous on the entry with touches of spice, dried honey, subtle notes of shaved ginger and an open-knit, generous finish that suggests bottles can be broached now. This is a fine Yquem, though not as cerebral as other vintages. Drink now-2025. Tasted October 2012.
Neal Martin - Wine Journal Sep 2013