Composed of 60% Sauvignon Blanc and 40% Sémillon, the 2022 Y d'Yquem has 6 grams per liter of residual sugar. It skips out of the glass with cheery notions of fresh, crunchy pears, allspice, fennel seed, and lime leaves, leading to touches of lemon drops, chalk dust, and white pepper. The medium-bodied palate has a satiny texture and racy backbone with layers of pear and baking spices flavors, finishing on a lingering chalky note. Drinking 2025-2040. [March 2024]

The earliest start to the Y harvest ever: 9 August! 60% Sauvignon Blanc, 40% Sémillon from designated plots in the vineyard. (The Sauvignon proportion was increased from 2004/5 but the wine became too much like a regular Bordeaux Blanc so the Sémillon portion was increased from 2021.) RS 6 g/l. Sauvignon dominates the nose but there is breadth underneath that could come only from the Sémillon. The overall impression is of a fresh, zesty wine with real complexity – very unlike the Y of old. I'd love to see how these post-2021 Ys age. (JR)