Items not labeled as Rapid Ship or Pre-arrival may require a transfer from the warehouse to our shipping facility before shipping, which can take 4–6 business days. Learn more on the Shipping Info page.
In-store Only Items
These items are available at our location to purchase in-store, or to choose in-store pickup at checkout.
Long-term Pre-arrival Items
Long Term Pre-arrival Definition: Ordering wine directly through us from our supplier partners in Europe in advance of the item’s physical arrival in the US.
Long Term Pre-arrival sales ensure you’re getting the best possible price and that you have also secured the product before it hits the normal retail supply chain. The lead time for Pre-arrival goods is generally 4–8 months, sometimes longer based on supply chain and the logistics of transporting goods overseas. The expectation, from our team, is to communicate to the customer the location of their purchase every step of the way.
This product is offered as a full case purchase option, minimum order quantities may be applicable. When available, multiple case options will be presented. If you are purchasing a Pre-Arrival item you must order a solid case.
Rapid Ship
Items listed as "rapid ship" are in stock and available for immediate pickup or shipment. Those that do not have the "rapid ship" icon are housed with our supplier and must be transferred to our warehouse before they can be picked up or shipped. This requires 4-6 business days but usually occurs sooner. Some products will list both options of availability as there will be a certain number in stock, with the option to order additional bottles to be transferred from the supplier.
We offer FREE ground shipping and discounted upgraded shipping on orders with multiples of 12 qualifying bottles. Solid cases or mix-and-match, look for the yellow 12 FREE badge and save!
Sample image only.Please see Item description for product Information. When ordering, the item shipped will match the product listing if there are any discrepancies. Do not order solely on the label if you feel it does not match product description.
SKU 457266
$371.10/bottle
Out of stock
Want to be notified when this product is back in stock?
A sensational Yquem, 1997 may be this estate’s finest effort since 1990 (although I would not discount the 1996 turning out to be nearly as good). The 1997’s light gold color is accompanied a gorgeous perfume of caramel, honeysuckle, peach, apricot, and smoky wood. Full-bodied and unctuously-textured, with good underlying acidity as well as loads of sweetness and glycerin, it looks to be a great vintage for this renowned Sauternes estate. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2055.
The Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc blend is a harmonious coupling of two grape varieties that creates a distinctive and balanced white wine. Originating in Bordeaux, this blend is celebrated for its unique attributes. Semillon contributes a luscious texture, richness, and the potential for age-worthy complexity, especially when affected by noble rot. On the other hand, Sauvignon Blanc adds vibrant acidity, zesty citrus flavors, and herbaceous notes, providing a refreshing and aromatic quality.
What makes this blend unique is the complementary nature of these grapes, resulting in a wine that boasts both depth and freshness. Producers worldwide, from Bordeaux to regions in Australia and beyond, have embraced this blend, showcasing its versatility and ability to express different terroirs. Whether enjoyed young for its lively and crisp characteristics or aged for added nuance, the Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc blend is a testament to the artistry of winemaking and the delightful synergy achieved by blending these two grape varieties.
France, often regarded as the heart of the wine world, boasts a rich history, diverse terroirs, and a captivating variety of grape varietals. From the renowned vineyards of Bordeaux to the picturesque landscapes of Burgundy, France offers a wine lover’s dream journey. Whether you’re new to the world of wine or a seasoned enthusiast looking […]
Bordeaux: The Pinnacle of Terroir Expression In the illustrious realm of wine, Bordeaux stands as a beacon of excellence, where history, tradition, and terroir converge to create some of the world’s most iconic wines. Bordeaux’s rich mosaic of vineyards is characterized by the left bank, right bank, and the sweet symphony of Sauternes. Each of […]
Sauternes, a revered appellation within Bordeaux, France, is celebrated for producing the world's finest sweet wines. What makes Sauternes unique is its climatic conditions, ideal for the development of Botrytis cinerea, or noble rot. This benevolent fungus shrivels the grapes, concentrating sugars and flavors, resulting in lusciously sweet and complex wines.
Predominantly crafted from Sémillon, with Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle playing supporting roles, Sauternes wines exhibit opulent flavors of honey, apricot, and tropical fruits. The region's microclimates, terroir variations, and meticulous vineyard management contribute to the diversity of styles within the appellation.
Châteaux like d'Yquem epitomize Sauternes' excellence, and the wines often require patience, aging gracefully for decades. The intricate dance of sweetness, acidity, and botrytis characterizes Sauternes, offering a unique tasting experience and showcasing the artistry of Bordeaux winemaking. Exploring Sauternes provides wine enthusiasts with a profound understanding of the magic that noble rot imparts to create these extraordinary dessert wines.
WS96pts
Wine Spectator
A pure style, with intense acacia, white peach, apricot, nectarine and tangerine notes that are long and racy, set against a gorgeous singed almond backdrop. Pulls together orchard and tropical fruit flavors on the long, refined finish.—Non-blind Yquem vertical (July 2014). Drink now through 2035. 14,000 cases made.
WA95pts
Wine Advocate
A vintage of exceptional weather, 1997 was a relatively warm, drought vintage equating to a very slow onset of botrytis this year. The warm temperatures contributed plenty of sweetness, while light rains late in the season finally spurred the spread of noble rot, making for a potentially very good Sauternes vintage in the end. However, strict selection was critical, ultimately allowing d'Yquem to craft an impressive wine well above the vintage’s standard.
Medium gold colored, the 1997 d'Yquem rolls effortlessly out of the glass with super spicy gingersnap, coriander seed, cinnamon stick and cloves scents over a core of toffee, preserved kumquats, praline, lemon curd and crème brûlée. Silken textured, rich, opulent and stacked with flavor layers, it has an understated, beautifully knit backbone of freshness and a very long toasted-nut finish. The alcohol came in at 13.9% this year, with a residual sugar of 120 grams per liter, and total acidity is 4.8 grams per liter of H2SO4.
VM93pts
Vinous Media
The 1997 Yquem comes from a season that witnessed the earliest-ever flowering (5 May) and an early picking that began on 4 September, though botrytis failed to develop, necessitating seven tries through the vineyard over 32 days of picking that lasted until 4 November. One aspect to note is how deep in colour this is compared to the 2003 that Sandrine Garbay served alongside. The nose offers marmalade and quince, hints of yellow plum and honey, not quite as precise as the previous bottle that I tasted in May the previous year, though it displays less of that adhesive trait. The palate has a lovely piquancy, very tangy with driving marmalade and Seville orange notes. The 5g/L of total acidity maintains the tension of the 1997, though maybe it is a little more evolved than I might have expected. Still, it remains a magnificent Yquem that will last many decades. Tasted from ex-château bottle in London.
