Château d'Yquem 1947 (1 BT)

Château d'Yquem 1947

Sauternes, 1er Grand Cru Classé

u. hs, label soiled and faded, capsule cut on previous inspection and mostly missing on top, 1947 clearly visible on cork

One of the hottest, driest years of the century. The harvest at Yquem lasted from 13 September until 13 October, in a heatwave. Warm, bright amber colour. Glorious orange flavour, so elegant for a 1947 and with no volatile acidity perceptible. So poised, so beautiful, so stunning. Ageless beauty and a great bottle. From magnum on its 60th birthday a great caramel brûlé bouquet. Sumptuous and well-structured. More masculine than the 1948. Burnt sugar. Pure mandarins on the palate. So thick. Smoky figs, with a wonderful citrus finish. Then, drunk from magnum in 2011 and château stock. This was, immediately, the greatest Yquem 1947 I have ever had - and I have had a few! A bouquet of caramelised currants, just extraordinary, followed by pomegranates. A touch of bananas, as they are done in New Orleans. So totally creamy and thick in texture and yet with such a 'lift' of freshness at the end. Magical clementine flavours. Flawless perfection. All of us were reduced to reverential silence, for a while anyway! Serena Sutcliffe, MW

1 bt (cn)

Provenance:

A keenly priced and broad spectrum of French and Italian greats, recently removed from the underground, purpose built and climate controlled cellar of a stunning country house, featuring swathes of Ornellaia and Sassicaia, Puligny Montrachet from Leflaive, Barbaresco from Bruno Giacosa, Chablis from William Fèvre, 1980s Krug, the list goes on and on, bought from reputable UK wine merchants.

LYING IN GREENFORD, MIDDLESEX Offered Duty Paid

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