Yquem (Declassified) 2009

Oh to have been at Harry Rodenstock’s legendary 1998 tasting of 125 vintages of Château d’Yquem, where it’s rumoured that most guests never spat a drop.

Well, why would they? Yquem balances freshness and ripeness and stimulates the synapses in a way that lesser (sweet) wines can’t. And when it’s a great year that’s been left to slumber in the cold and dark for many, many decades there really is nothing else quite like it.

Regarded for centuries as the world’s most prized bottles (Thomas Jefferson and the Russian tsars were fans), Sauternes has suffered something of an image problem recently, seen as something you might only drink with your auntie at Christmas. But, we’re here to reassure you, it’s for life.

Richly layered with spiced apricot and toffee flavours and a finish that seems to last forever, Yquem is tried and tested with salty blue cheese, Chinese pork, and wasabi-spiked sushi, but we’d wager it’s a pretty banging combo with a turkey sandwich, too. Only one way to find out. Hello Auntie!

The declassified Yquem was produced by the Château from wines not included in the First Growth Grand Vin bottling and classed as AOC Sauternes. 2009 was an excellent year for Sauternes – this is honeyed and richly spiced.