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Unrivalled/ Unequalled: Yquem 1921–2019 (Apr 2022)

The 1985 Yquem suffered by there being just a single day of rain between 15 September and 1 November, precluding botrytis formation. Nevertheless, picking started on 5 October and unexpectedly some botrytis did appear. The nose is clean but simple for this estate, dried honey and hazelnut, almond and a subtle petrol-like aroma. The palate…

Unrivalled/ Unequalled: Yquem 1921–2019 (Apr 2022)

The 1997 Yquem comes from a season that witnessed the earliest-ever flowering (5 May) and an early picking that began on 4 September, though botrytis failed to develop, necessitating seven tries through the vineyard over 32 days of picking that lasted until 4 November. One aspect to note is how deep in colour this is…

1999 and 1998 Rhone Valley Wines (Jan 2001)

Full, saturated ruby, by a wide margin the darkest of these ’97s. Spicy, high-pitched aromas of cassis, black cherry, licorice, flint and tar. Densely packed but currently tightly wound and dominated by its structure. Shows a restrained sweetness and complicating hints of leather, flint and tar. More tannic than the Mouline or Turque but here,…

2000 and 1999 Rhone Valley Wines (Jan 2002)

Deep ruby-purple. Aromas of roasted black fruits and bitter chocolate. Voluminous and sweet, with black fruit, black pepper and menthol notes. Obviously low in acidity (due to some shriveling of the grapes) but not at all flat. A powerful wine that finishes with big, tarry, slightly tough tannins. Needs five years in the bottle.

2000 and 1999 Rhone Valley Wines (Jan 2002)

Deep ruby-purple. Aromas of roasted black fruits and bitter chocolate. Voluminous and sweet, with black fruit, black pepper and menthol notes. Obviously low in acidity (due to some shriveling of the grapes) but not at all flat. A powerful wine that finishes with big, tarry, slightly tough tannins. Needs five years in the bottle.

New Wines from the Tuscan Coast (Jul 2003)

Intense dark ruby. Dark berry fruit and exotic spice scents fill the high-toned, penetrating nose. Offers a deep core of beautifully delineated blackberry and blackcurrant flavors layered with bell pepper, dark chocolate and minerals. Smooth tannins frame the very long finish, leaving one with the impression of persistence and balance.