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Chateau d'Yquem, Sauternes 1er Cru, 1990 (375ml)

Dessert Wine from Bordeaux, France
by Chateau d'Yquem
$379.00
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Chateau d'Yquem is the legendary first-growth of Sauternes, the only Premier Cru Superieur named in 1855, crafted from botrytis-shriveled Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc harvested berry by berry over weeks of selective picking. This is the 1990 in half-bottle, the third of the celebrated 1988-1989-1990 run and a famously ripe, generous vintage. From a private cellar and now richly mature, it shows the breathtaking concentration that vintage gave. A profound dessert wine to share among friends. Serve chilled and give it time in the glass.

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Antonio Galloni

96 points

"Strangely, this is my first note on the 1990 Yquem, a vintage tasted many times. Now 35 years old, it has an enticing bouquet of wild honey, barley sugar, crème brûlée and figs that billows with aeration, certainly more opulent than the '89 but quite irresistible. The palate is vibrant and poised, weighty with plenty of botrytised fruit. This has captivating purity of fruit and in recent years has gained a little more elegance, perhaps less bold than it used to be. Not quite at the level of the '89, yet it appears to be improving with age. Tasted single blind at the 1990 Bordeaux dinner at Medlar." —Neal Martin

Robert Parker

98 points

"A warm to hot vintage ideal for producing outstanding reds does not necessarily make for a great Sauternes vintage, but in the case of 1990 it did. Dry, warm winds in the autumn contributed to the level of concentration that this wine exhibits. Fortunately, a little rain in late September and early October ensured that botrytis flourished well in the end, the final factor necessary to achieve this extraordinary expression." —Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Jancis Robinson

18 points

"Half-bottle. Almost tawny. Creamy texture – very luxurious. This stood up manfully to Mrs Beeton's Christmas pudding but definitely finished drier than it. I'd say half-bottles anyway are ready to drink now."

Decanter

98 points

"This is exuberant, concentrated and luscious. Full of blood orange, nectarine, saffron, touches of carmalised ginger, truffle and crème brûlée. A seesaw of zesty acidity and luscious sweetness, this is a beautiful wine that still has decades ahead of it. Owned by the Lur Saluces family at the time, this clearly shows why Yquem stands in its own category in the appellation."

More about Chateau d'Yquem

The world's greatest sweet wine. Only château to hold Premier Cru Supérieur status, d'Yquem averages six passes through the vineyard each vintage for botrytized grapes. Yields near 2.5 acres, infinitesimal production. Thomas Jefferson knew. You should too.

Wine Details

  • Grape Variety

    Sauvignon Blanc , Semillon

  • Vintage

    1990

  • Size

    375ml

  • Farming Practice

    Traditional

Flatiron's Take

From the Importer

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Tasting Notes & Food Pairings

Perfect Pairings

Foie gras, Roquefort, almond or apricot tart, or simply sipped slowly.

Tasting Profile

Opulent, mature Sauternes: dried apricot, candied orange, honey, caramel and saffron. Deeply concentrated, with bright lifting acidity.

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