D'Yquem 2018 (750ML)

98 WA / 97 JS / 97 DE / 97 FS / 97 WCI / 97 WI / 96 WS / 17.5 JR

The 2018 d'Yquem is all lime cordial, grapefruit oil and mandarin peel to begin. With a little coaxing, the fireworks really begin, letting off a whole array of honeysuckle, candied ginger, dried pineapple, lemon pastilles, chalk dust and sea spray scents, followed by a savory undercurrent of shaved almonds, allspice and baking bread. The palate is an exercise in polish and poise, featuring the most gorgeously creamy texture and bright, sparkling freshness, framing all the densely laden tropical and citrus fruit layers, finishing with a powerful BANG of profound floral and spice perfume. It is wonderfully sweet, yes, but that—paradoxically for a "sweet wine"—is almost beside the point. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate

An extremely polished and refined d’Yquem with lightly cooked peaches and mangos and an overlay of vanilla and cream with some lemon meringue. Orange peel, too. What is striking is the texture, which is creamy and so fine. The tannins give the wine energy and beauty. The finish is extremely long and impressive. So clean and refined. Not heavy at all, but vivid and clean as crystal. Goes on for minutes. Elegance with stature is a good description. Drinkable now, but better in 2023 and onwards. - James Suckling

Average temperatures 2.7°C over average, combined with 20% of the normal rainfall from mid August to the end of July made makes this a naturally rich, low-yielding vintage (40% less than average, not helped by a hail storm in July), with a gloriously gourmet 145g/ha residual sugar, and a pH level of 3.95. As ever with Yquem, patience was the key, taking in the grapes slowly but surely over 17 days harvest that extended well into October. The results in the glass are intense and glossy, full of satin-textured apricot and white peach flavours. There are exotic fruits of pineapple and mango but winemaker Sandrine Garbay has kept a focus on fresher flavours of lime zest and citrus that balance out the natural richness and concentration. Pretty closed right now, but there is power and balance here, an excellent Yquem. - Jane Anson, Decanter

Medium greenish yellow with silver reflections. Ripe yellow tropical fruit underlaid with fine savoury noble wood, candied orange and grapefruit, peach and blossom honey with some cookie notes in the background. Substantial, elegant, balanced ripeness, delicate coconut and lychee, creamy, silky texture, very poised, ripe peach, honey and white pepper on the very long finish. Shows great promise.-Falstaff

Elegant, creamy, fresh, sweet charmer. While this lacks the density and verve found in the very best vintages, there is more than enough ripe and overripe pineapple, vanilla, roasted apricot, mango, candied orange rind and honey to keep any taster busy. Luscious textured, rich and opulent, this will be delicious in its youth, and it also has the ability to age for decades. 97 Points-Jeff Leve, Wine Cellar Insider

The 2018 d’Yquem has a pale to medium lemon-yellow color. It leaps from the glass with classic scents of preserved peaches, marmalade, and tropical notes, plus cedar, ginger, and honey. In the mouth it is rich, lively, layered, complex and very long and spicy. Yum!-Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Independent

A beauty from start to finish, with fresh, racy notes of honeysuckle, quinine and mirabelle plum leading off, followed by richer quince, creamed pear and white nectarine flavors. Everything melds through the finish, picking up macadamia nut and brioche accents to complete the seduction. Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc. Best from 2025 through 2045. 4,166 cases made.-James Molesworth, Wine Spectator