d'Yquem Chateau d' Yquem 1er Cru Superieur (fruchtsüß) 1996

Robert Parker: Tasted single blind at Farr’s 2005 dinner in Hong Kong. It is a while since I last tasted this vintage. Like before, the nose is tightly coiled and demands coaxing from the glass, but eventually it yields and offers a lovely bouquet of wild honey, honeysuckle, lemon curd and barleysugar. The palate is more tensile then I remember on the entry, with a keen thread of acidity and notes of mandarin, Seville orange, tinned apricot and honey, hints of almond sprinkled over the finish. It does not quite have the complexity of a top flight Yquem, but it is still a great Sauternes for long-term consideration. Tasted November 2011. 95/100

Jancis Robinson: Even deeper orange than the 2006 served alongside with an intense, drier finish. Saffron notes and something a little smoky along with a green leafiness. The finish has a lightly bitter note – not unlike a dark marmalade. A fine Yquem to serve with a savoury main course. 18/20