This leans toward the tropical side, with mango and guava notes out front, while maple, date, blood orange and citrus oil flavors fill in behind. The finish kicks into another gear, taking off with honeysuckle, orange blossom and frangipane accents. Has almost unbridled power today, while maintaining serious cut. A very impressive showing in a rather overlooked vintage.—Non-blind Yquem vertical (July 2014). JM

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 23/04/2003
Compared with the flamboyant aromatics of the 1997, Yquem''s 1996 plays it closer to the vest, although there is a lot going on. Light gold with a tight but promising nose of roasted hazelnuts intermixed with creme brulee, vanilla beans, honey, orange marmalade, and peaches, this medium to full-bodied offering reveals loads of power in its restrained, measured personality. There is admirable acidity, weight, texture, and purity in this impeccably made Yquem. However, patience will be a virtue. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2060.

Note: Yquem spends 42 months in 100% new oak. No cask tasting is permitted, and the wine is not released until 5 years after the vintage. For example, the 1998 will be released some time in 2003; the 2001 will not be released until 2006.

Compared with the rather flamboyant aromatics of the 1997, Yquem's 1996 plays it closer to the vest, although there is a lot below the surface; its just needs more coaxing. Light gold with a tight but promising nose of roasted hazelnuts intermixed with creme brulee, vanilla beans, honey, orange marmalade, and peach, this medium to full bodied Yquem has loads of power but a sense of restraint and a more measured style. The acidity also seems to be holding the wine close to the vest. The weight is there, the texture impressive, and the purity, as always, impeccable. Patience will probably be a virtue with this vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2060. (95+)

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.

A beauty that is already fun to taste and enjoy for its honeyed, apricot, spice, pineapple, orange peel and vanilla bean profile. Low acid and fat in style, this glass of sunshine and pleasure hits the sweet spot. Tasted July 2014

Served at The Clove Club's Bordeaux lunch with roast foie gras, loquat, hazelnut and amaranth - a particularly successful combination. Deep orangey gold. Masses of botrytis exhibited on the rich nose full of pungent lanolin. The finish was fresh and clean and the sweetness, if on a scale of 1 to 10, would be about 7. Lots of weight and presence - really very majestic. No hurry whatsoever to drink this.
JR - Aug 2015