D’Yquem 1958 – D’Yquem

Reseña profesional

Spring was fresh and rainy, which slowed down vegetative growth. Flowering took place during cold weather and suffered as a result. Summer was much in the same vein, but the weather was finally dry and warm enough for good ripening. 50 mm of rain soon gave rise to an attack of botrytis. There were altogether 4 passes, without rain, from the 6th the 24th of October. However, the weather took a turn for the worse and subsequent sugar levels were not sufficiently sweet to make Château d’Yquem.The 1958 d’Yquem is an off-vintage that I have not encountered before. Fifty millimeters of rain in September was the catalyst for botrytis, and the harvest was picked in four tries between October 6 and 24. Lucid amber in color, the wine has a vibrant bouquet of tangerine, melted candle wax and a light glue-like aroma. It feels well defined and very focused. The palate is medium-bodied with a viscous opening, and much more powerful than expected, offering blood orange, crème brûlée and honeyed notes. Perhaps it has its wings clipped on the finish, but otherwise this is a fine showing in a tricky Sauternes vintage. Well-kept bottles could probably give another decade’s worth of drinking pleasure.Drink: Now-2035