Tasting Notes
JancisRobinson.com 17.5
Mid gold. Dried citrus with more than a touch of volatility giving an almost vinegary aspect to the nose. Much better clarity on the palate with burnt sugar on the finish. Even so, it’s not the freshest daisy compared with other Yquem vintages. (RH)
Anticipated maturity: 2000-2022
Robert Parker 95
A vintage of exceptional weather, 1997 was a relatively warm, drought vintage equating to a very slow onset of botrytis this year. The warm temperatures contributed plenty of sweetness, while light rains late in the season finally spurred the spread of noble rot, making for a potentially very good Sauternes vintage in the end. However, strict selection was critical, ultimately allowing d’Yquem to craft an impressive wine well above the vintage’s standard. Medium gold colored, the 1997 d’Yquem rolls effortlessly out of the glass with super spicy gingersnap, coriander seed, cinnamon stick and cloves scents over a core of toffee, preserved kumquats, praline, lemon curd and creme brA lee. Silken textured, rich, opulent and stacked with flavor layers, it has an understated, beautifully knit backbone of freshness and a very long toasted-nut finish. The alcohol came in at 13.9% this year, with a residual sugar of 120 grams per liter, and total acidity is 4.8 grams per liter of H2SO4.
Anticipated maturity: 2019-2044
