Beschreibung:

Château d'Yquem--Vintage 1858 Sauternes, 1er grand cru classé Recorked at the Château in 1991. New capsule, slightly damaged. New label, slightly bin-soiled. Medium to deep amber colour. Level top-shoulder Tasting Note: Picking commenced 27 September. Following the 1855 classification of Bordeaux's top sweet white wines, when Yquem was classed as the only 1er grand cru classé château, the d' was reintroduced to the name. Interesting to note, also, is how frequently the Lur Saluces sold their wine en barrique for bottling by Bordeaux négociants though never, to my knowledge, by British wine merchants. First tasted in 1981, a half bottle labelled 'Ch Yquem Sauternes, Keyl & Co, Bordeaux', capsule 'K & C', cork branded 'Yquem 1858'. Also, low-shoulder and therefore oxidised though I noted 'sweet old Sémillon nose'. However I have a note that around that time of the 1855 classification only Sauvignon Blanc grapes were used. I find this hard to believe. Next a bottle from a Scottish cellar with glass shoulder button embossed 'Château Yquem, Haut Sauternes, Grand Cru', tasted at the château in 1986. Despite slightly shrunken cork and a nose like Tokaji Eszencia, delicious, rich, concentrated. Most recently; short capsule quite common in Bordeaux at the time, badly bin-soiled label with vintage slip label, upper-shoulder level. Another too-good-to-be-true bottle, very fragrant raspberries and cream nose and taste. Angelo Gaja, who was also at the tasting, wondered if this was an ice wine (hardly if picked at the end of September). Last tasted Sept 1998 **** M.B. 1 bottle per lot