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Chateau d'Yquem Sauternes 1988 (375ml) [NET]

$39999

This is Yquem, the most storied sweet wine on earth, in one of the great vintages of its era: 1988, an insider's favorite from a late harvest that ran to All Saints Day with six passes through the vines for botrytized fruit. Yquem is Sauternes itself, planted mostly to Semillon with Sauvignon Blanc, picked berry by berry as noble rot concentrates the sugars. The 1988 is prized as the refined, elegant member of the legendary 1988-1989-1990 trio. This 375ml half-bottle is mature and ready. Pour it slowly.

Shipping

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  • Provenance Assured: All wines are maintained in climate-controlled conditions at our shop until the moment of dispatch.

Returns & Exchanges

We stand behind every bottle we sell.

  • If the wine is less than 10 years old and it is corked, you may return it to us for a full refund or exchange within 60 days of purchase. You must show us proof of purchase. We understand that you may not live near a shop and that it is difficult to ship open bottles of wine to us, so if there's any problem feel free to Contact Us and we'll work it out.
  • For wines older than 10 years, the consumer bears the risk of a faulty cork, but we accept returns of older bottles if the wine is faulty as a result of improper storage. Please come by the store or Contact Us if there is a problem.
  • We may, at our discretion and to the extent permitted by law, accept returns of unopened wines within 30 days of purchase if they were properly stored by the purchaser, subject to a 15% re-stocking fee.

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Antonio Galloni

96 points

"The 1988 Yquem is similar to the bottle I tasted two years earlier, one of my favorite vintages from that decade. Orange pith, quince, wax resin, and mandarin blossom on the nose, yet there is more control and focus than in other warmer vintages. The palate is underpinned by a wonderful frisson of acidity that cuts a swathe through the viscous fruit with Clementine and touches of crème brûlée on the finish. It’s firing on all cylinders, and I envisage it remaining there for some time." —Neal Martin

Robert Parker

96 points

"The 1988 Chateau d'Yquem has long been an insider's favorite over the 1989 and 1990, although at the end of the day, all three form a brilliant triumvirate at the end of the decade. Tasted from a half bottle, it shone with a slightly burnished amber hue. The bouquet is just as I have encountered with previous bottles with scents of marmalade, mandarin, burnt honey and citrus fruit, perhaps a little waxier and resinous than I recall. The palate is medium-bodied with impressive weight, viscous as you would expect, though not as flamboyant as the 1989 or as unctuous as the 1990. It is beautifully balanced with notes of apricot, white chocolate and orange peel towards the harmonious and tensile finish. You can see this cruising along for two or three decades and maybe it will turn more Barsac-like in style? Time will tell - a glorious Yquem however you look at it. Tasted May 2016." —Neal Martin

Jancis Robinson

19.5 points

"Dark tawny. The most intriguing nose. Glossy and lively and more intellectual than the other two, Extremely long - a hint of ginger and real zest. Certainly seemed the best of these three without a doubt. Very racy and flirtatious -- maybe racier than the 1989. Powerful and very very long."

Wine Spectator

94 points

"Broad and soft, with creamed apricot, mango, date, honey, caramel and marzipan notes, all framed by toasted brioche and musk accents. The flattering finish lets orange curd and flan details glide through. A touch shy on tension, but shows lovely range."

More about Chateau d'Yquem

Wine Details

  • Grape Variety

    Sauvignon Blanc , Semillon

  • Vintage

    1988

  • Size

    375ml

  • Farming Practice

    Sustainable

  • Style

    Fruity

  • Sweetness

    Sweet

  • Body

    Full Bodied

Flatiron's Take

From the Importer

Tasting Notes & Food Pairings

Perfect Pairings

Foie gras, blue cheese, apple tart, or simply on its own after dinner.

Tasting Profile

Deep gold. Honey, apricot, candied orange and toasted nuts with botrytis spice. Rich and unctuous but lifted by bright acidity; very long finish.

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