Wines

98 Points! Tasting the 2019, I noticed that it has a slightly paler hue compared to recent vintages (though I never read too much into the colour of young Sauternes.) For certain, it has a highly-aromatic bouquet that is beguiling in purity, enticing aromas of honeysuckle and saffron, soon joined by camomile, white flowers and orange blossom. It has wonderful delineation and gains intensity with aeration. The palate is supremely well-balanced with fine bead of acidity. Very harmonious and armed with just the right amount of viscosity, this Yquem is surprisingly understated at first but gains presence, offering irresistible flavours of layers of honey, lemongrass, lemon thyme and orange pith. Yquem is so tempting in its youth, but I feel that this vintage will repay those with the nous to cellar for at least a decade. - Neal Martin, Vinous Media

97 Points! The 2019 vintage of Château d'Yquem has the highest proportion (45%) of Sauvignon Blanc in any modern Yquem. The Sauvignon Blanc adds to the freshness, acting as a great balance to the succulent, sweet and voluptuous palate. Intense peach and apricot, combined with lemon and orange zest, make this highly appealing to drink right away - an ideal vintage with which to start Yquem’s ‘lighthouse’ project. However, it would be a shame not to give this 10+ years maturation to see how it develops. Very well, I suspect. - Decanter Magazine

96 Points! A big, broad, powerful style, with piecrust, roasted almond and hazelnut cream notes framing the core of apricot, creamed peach and dried mango. Picks up extra fig and pear details through the toasty finish. Needs a bit of time to finish sorting itself out. Best from 2017 through 2030. - Wine Spectator

96 Points! The dried-mango and pineapple character is so delicious in this wine. It’s full-bodied and medium-sweet, with a pretty density and a fruity finish. Wonderful balance to this super Sauternes. This is a little in reserve now, with so much for the future. - JamesSuckling.com

95 Points! Honey, apple tart and lemon rind. Full-bodied, medium-sweet and very spicy with intense flavors of mace, apple and honey. Long finish. Thick and powerful. - Wine Spectator

95 Points! The 2022 Coutet delivers nuances of pineapple, tangerine oil, orange confit and spice. Exotic and unctuous, it's also light on its feet for such an obviously rich wine. There's great balance here. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

94+ Points! One of the wines of the vintage, the 2022 Coutet opens with notes of apricots, spices and exotic fruits, setting the stage for a medium to full-bodied, round and supple palate enhanced by brightness and tension that culminates in a spicy, minty finish. Its balanced structure and lively acidity contribute to an ethereal ending, making it a very elegant yet chiseled Barsac. This blend of 94% Sémillon, 5% Sauvignon Blanc and 1% Muscadelle is matured for 18 months in barrels. - Yohan Castaing, robertparker.com

94 Points! Lots of dried-apricot and peach aromas with hints of dried white mushrooms and flowers. Medium- to full-bodied, this has lots of sweetness but a spicy flint and citrus character with dried pineapple and white peaches. Extremely long and flavorful. Such a balance and classiness to this. Drink or hold. - JamesSuckling.com

93 Points! Bight and fun, a lovely easy, clean and sleek texture, quite straight with focus and a sense of cool freshness on the palate with some soft bitter edges that are so appealing. Has a great frame, slowly expands, not so overtly sweet or zingy, but this is refined and well delivered, still with concentration in the depth and overall long length. 158g/l residual sugar. 3.88pH. - Georgina Hindle, Decanter.com