2018 Chateau d'Yquem Pre-Arrival Offer

Superlatives are often not enough when it comes to describing Chateau d'Yquem. Standing alone as the only Premier Cru Superieur ranked sauternes property, Chateau d'Yquem is situated in the epicentre of prime sweet wine production in France. Their unique position, and wealth of soil profiles, allows d'Yquem to produce wines of enormous complexity with consistent accumulation of botrytis often in years when others struggle. 2018 was such a year, and through hard work and diligence the team were able to recover from the August hail storm and delayed onset of botrytis, holding out until the last weeks of October to harvest grapes with great concentration. As an added bonus, for the first time since they left the en-primeur system following the 2010 vintage, the property have offered reduced pricing which makes this 2018 vintage compelling buying.

Other Reviews....
The 2018 d'Yquem is all lime cordial, grapefruit oil and mandarin peel to begin. With a little coaxing, the fireworks really begin, letting off a whole array of honeysuckle, candied ginger, dried pineapple, lemon pastilles, chalk dust and sea spray scents, followed by a savory undercurrent of shaved almonds, allspice and baking bread. The palate is an exercise in polish and poise, featuring the most gorgeously creamy texture and bright, sparkling freshness, framing all the densely laden tropical and citrus fruit layers, finishing with a powerful BANG of profound floral and spice perfume. It is wonderfully sweet, yes, but that—paradoxically for a "sweet wine"—is almost beside the point.
98 points
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - Wine Advocate (Oct 2020)

An extremely polished and refined d’Yquem with lightly cooked peaches and mangos and an overlay of vanilla and cream with some lemon meringue. Orange peel, too. What is striking is the texture, which is creamy and so fine. The tannins give the wine energy and beauty. The finish is extremely long and impressive. So clean and refined. Not heavy at all, but vivid and clean as crystal. Goes on for minutes. Elegance with stature is a good description. Drinkable now, but better in 2023 and onwards.
97 points
James Suckling

Average temperatures 2.7°C over average, combined with 20% of the normal rainfall from mid August to the end of July made makes this a naturally rich, lowyielding vintage (40% less than average, not helped by a hail storm in July), with a gloriously gourmet 145g/ha residual sugar, and a pH level of 3.95. As ever with Yquem, patience was the key, taking in the grapes slowly but surely over 17 days harvest that extended well into October. The results in the glass are intense and glossy, full of satin-textured apricot and white peach flavours. There are exotic fruits of pineapple and mango but winemaker Sandrine Garbay has kept a focus on fresher flavours of lime zest and citrus that balance out the natural richness and concentration. Pretty closed right now, but there is power and balance here, an excellent Yquem. Drinking Window 2022 - 2050.
97 points
Jane Anson - Decanter

Conditions of Pre Arrival Offer:

1. There is no minimum order unless stated.
2. All wines are 750ml unless indicated otherwise.
3. Once received, all orders will be confirmed with suppliers and then an invoice issued - payment will be due on receipt of this invoice.
4. The wines are being collected and shipped in refrigerated containers and are due to arrive in April 2021.
5. Nicks Wine Merchants reserve the right to pass on any changes in Government duties and taxes and delivery charges from the date of order to the date of final delivery of the wine.
6. Errors and omissions excepted.
7. Delivery charges may apply - these can be determined by visiting the Freight Rates page.