2011 d'Yquem
By Chateau d'Yquem
2011 d'Yquem from Chateau d'Yquem, Sauternes, Bordeaux
Behold the 2011 d'Yquem from Chateau d'Yquem, a vintage characterised by its precise equilibrium, a harmonious interplay between opulence and backbone. The season's benevolent weather patterns bestowed upon Sauternes the necessary conditions for botrytisation; that noble rot which is the linchpin of greatness in this illustrious sweet wine. It was a year marked by an early onset of spring, a resplendent summer and timely autumn mists—conditions that Chateau d’Yquem translated into liquid gold with their consummate skill.
Redefining Sweet Sophistication
For the discerning investor and connoisseur alike, the 2011 d'Yquem offers a resplendent array of tasting notes—dancing from honey-coated apricot to candied citrus rind and toasted almond. These rich flavours are deftly counterbalanced by an invigorating acidity and mineral persistence, offering a taste experience that is both sumptuous and refreshing. This wine moves on the palate with the grace of a prima ballerina, each sip a pirouette of taste that lingers with elegance long after the encounter.
The ageing potential of this particular vintage is without question, setting it favourably within a collection that prioritises longevity alongside immediate gratification. Indeed, for investors looking to augment their portfolio with a wine whose reputation only magnifies over time, the 2011 vintage presents an opportune canvas.
A Vintage Investment in Liquid Form
Let us not overlook the finery of texture achieved in this vintage: a silky tapestry woven through with threaded layers of flavour. Investing in the 2011 d'Yquem goes beyond mere acquisition—it's an act of partaking in a piece of viticultural artistry created under the seasoned stewardship of a Chateau that has become synonymous with luxury.
In summary, the 2011 d'Yquem from Chateau d'Yquem captivates with an impeccable balance worthy of its heritage. A supreme choice for fine wine investors seeking to add a blend of immediate pleasure and future promise to their portfolio—a liquid asset maturing exquisitely with each passing year.
Market price (USD)
$3,200.00
12x75cl
Highest score
98
POP score
146.11
Scores and tasting notes
Crazy minerality to this, with lots of dried mango, pineapple and papaya on the nose. Botrytis-spice and nutmeg undertones. Full body, very sweet, with superb depth of fruit and richness. It goes on for minutes. Turns dense and concentrated on the palate. Speechless. Better in 2019.
James Suckling - jamessuckling.com, February 20th 2014
The 2011 d'Yquem seems to be a close cousin of the 2001 and possibly the 1988. Light gold in color, restrained but pure and noble, it offers an intense bouquet of honeysuckle, caramelized apricot and white peach with a subtle hint of toasty oak. It builds slowly but beautifully to a full-bodied wine with a long finish. This vintage is about restraint and perfect balance despite the 144 grams of residual sugar. Some vintages are more exuberant or flamboyant, but 2011 is racy and compelling. Of course, these wines can be drunk young, but expect the 2011 to age for 50-75+ years in a good cellar.
Robert Parker Jr - eRobertParker.com #209 Oct 2013
The 2011 has a clear silvery gold hue, perhaps not quite as deep as I recall the 2010 last year. The bouquet is very fragrant and well-defined, with scents of wild honey, honeysuckle and a touch of vanilla. It is a refined, sedate and beautifully focused bouquet that does not need to show off. The palate displays superb weight in the mouth, even though at first it seems almost understated. Yet there is clearly a high level of spicy, botrytized fruit with notes of honey, orange zest and a touch of mandarin. There is no explosion on the finish; the 2011 is rather a lesson in control, complexity and nuance. It is utterly seductive. Drink 2016-2040+. The 2011 commenced with picking on September 6, the fourth earliest in its history, although they waited until September 12 to really get going in the vineyard. The harvest was over four tries until the October 5, peaking on the last day of the second trie on September 23. There is a very low level of volatility compared to the level of residual sugar, which at 144 grams per liter is almost the same as 2010.
Neal Martin - Wine Advocate Issue #200 Apr 2012
Tasted blind at the Sauternes 2011 horizontal tasting. The Château Yquem 2011 has a complex bouquet, one that is very well defined with hints of petrol infusing the rich honeyed fruit, later melted wax and fresh peach coming through. The palate is well balanced with a strong viscous entry. There is plenty of residual sugar here and I would have preferred a little more acidic bite to offset that rich, decadent finish (this is despite their correct policy of blending non-botrytized berries in order to increase acidity.) Powerful, burly even, I would give this several years in the cellar to allow this Yquem to mellow and enter its stride.
Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate, 27 February 2015