The Best of Sauternes: Yquem, Coutet and More

Nick Jackson, MW Consultant | November 22, 2022

A bottle of Yquem 2001 a few months ago was my reminder - as if I needed one - of just how stunning a great Sauternes can be. Now, Yquem 2001 is the sine qua non of the genre; a legendary vintage for the property and astonishing in its beauty and complexity. But give me any vintage of Yquem and I’ll be happy; from the deliciously mature 1989 to the young, zesty Y d'Yquem 2019; there is no bad time to drink Yquem.

Elsewhere in Sauternes, I also love the slightly lighter, fresher style of wines from the village of Barsac. The two great properties here are Coutet and Climens, both giving wines of immense purity and finesse. Back in Sauternes proper, Rieussec is at the other end of the spectrum: opulent, full-bodied and with huge impact. The styles of Sauternes are various, but the experience remains consistent: consistently delicious.

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