Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 01/01/1998
The 1976 Yquem continues to go from strength to strength. Who can ignore the awesome bouquet of spices, honeyed fruit, pineapples, bananas, coconuts, and overripe melons? This full-bodied, viscous, luscious wine has been absolutely delicious since bottling, given its relatively low acidity and precocious personality. It is one of the few true great vintages of Yquem that can actually be drunk with tremendous pleasure at such a young age. Eighty percent of the harvest made it into the final wine. Anticipated maturity: Now-2025. Last tasted, 12/90.

The 1976 is an Yquem on a relatively fast track for this property. It seems to be close to full maturity, and remains a very powerful, thick, viscous Yquem with notes of honeyed tropical fruits, spice box, crème brulee, smoke and orange marmalade. The wine is viscous, rich, and an amazingly great Yquem. Amongst the vintages of the last 30 years, this is perhaps the most complex and ready to drink of the great years for Yquem. It should continue to evolve and last for another 50 or more years. (100)

Tasted blind in Bordeaux, the 1976 Chateau d'Yquem reaffirms its reputation as one of the great wines of the decade, although I would suggest that that 1971 and 1975 are the true pinnacles. However, in no way do I wish to slight this Sauternes. Deep and slightly burnished in color, it offers dried pineapple, barley sugar, almond and a cheeky puff of café latte. There is wonderful definition here. The palate is underpinned by nigh on perfect acidity with orange rind, mango, crème brûlée and minerals. As it fans out towards the finish, there is a tang of Seville orange marmalade, and though it does not quite possess the persistence of the 1975 Yquem, you will be craving for the next sip. At its peak now, enjoy this great Yquem over the next 20-30 years. Tasted April 2016. (WA#225)

Deep honeyed gold. It was served blind and I didn't pick it as Yquem as it was rather lighter than most vintages in terms of weight. Attractive barley-sugar nose and refreshing acidity but not especially marked by botrytis. Although the beeswax and honey bouquet is pretty snazzy, it seems to be drying out a little and doesn't seem one of the greatest Yquems. Pretty much at the height of its powers now.