Sauternes 2009

Provenance

Private Client

Critics Ratings

'In comparison to the 2010 vintage, the 2009 d'Yquem is more concentrated with a stunning "rôti," the consequence of noble rot in French. Developing a powerful, complex bouquet with aromas of pineapple, apricot, saffron, flowers, spices and orchard fruits, it's dense and concentrated, full-bodied and layered with a crystalline texture complicated by notes of white truffles that reveal a racy, endless and a superb finish concluding with a pristine harmony. Readers with bottles in their cellars will have to be patient before opening this masterpiece with 155 grams of residual sugar.' - Yohan Castaing, Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 100/100 (Oct 2023)

'From a dry, hot year, this Yquem has retained all the freshness of a great Sauternes combined with massive intensity of ultra-ripe grapes. It lacks the additional complexity of more botrytised vintages but makes up for this with the wonderful balance of sweetness, orange zest notes and tingling acidity. Not a fat style of Yquem, the acidity makes this very refreshing. Can be enjoyed now but has the concentration to last at least another two decades.' - Andy Howard MW - Decanter, 97/100 (June 2021)

'More grassy than the 2015 just tasted, with honey and golden syrup and plenty of volatile-acidity character. Fatter and richer than the 2015, and a burnt-sugar flavour dominates. An embarrassment of riches.' - Richard Hemming MW, JancisRobinson.com, 18/20 (Feb 2020)

'Pale to medium gold colored, the 2009 d'Yquem bursts from the glass with gregarious crème caramel, allspice, dried apricots, mandarin peel and pineapple upside down cake scents plus a fragrant undercurrent of fungi, acacia honey, candied ginger, musk perfume and frangipani. Full-bodied and full-on hedonic in the mouth, the rich, tightly wound layers are still amazingly youthful with bags of citrus sparks and an incredibly long, perfumed finish. Possessing a residual sugar of 157 grams per liter and 13.6% alcohol as well as a laser-focused line of freshness, the rock-solid structure and through-the-roof opulence here is simply mind blowing. Pure perfection. Drink 2022 - 2069.' - Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate, 100/100 (March 2019)

'The 2009 Chateau d'Yquem is one showstopper of a wine and perhaps it is only in a vertical that you realize this is up there among the legendary wines of the past - the 2001 included… The 2009 is utterly fabulous and decadent, a star that will blaze brightly and undimmed for many years. Drink now-2060+.' - Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 100/100 (March 2014)

'Set to be one of the great vintages of Yquem, this wine is a class act. Grapefruit, barley sugar and subtle botrytis nose, with oak adding a touch of vanilla. Intense and fresh on the palate with clarity, length and concentration and a citrus fruit tang. Carries its 155 grams of residual sugar lightly. In a great year for Sauternes, this is a stand out wine. 20+ years.' - Tim Atkin MW, 99/100 (April 2010)