1999 Ch D’Yquem Sauternes Magnum 1.5L, Bordeaux

Red-gold colour, aroma of roasted chestnuts, autumn leaves and acorns, followed on the palate by intense and complex tarte tatin, baked custard, dark bitter honey, agave and star anise. Textural and almost grainy quality as it becomes dense with some age. Generous and intense, very long, opening up over time with spicy and complex notes of aniseed, Russian leather and the classic saffron note of Botrytis. RL

97 points falstaff.com

Medium gold in color, the 1999 d'Yquem has shed its puppy fat and transformed into compelling cinnamon toast, creme caramel and cashew notions with emerging notes of beurre blanc, honeycomb, ginger snaps and praline over a core of peach preserves and apple pie. The palate is softly spoken with a refreshing backbone carrying loads of delicate savory and stone fruit preserves nuances to a long, beautifully restrained finish. At the 20-year mark, this wine is in the midst of its ideal drinking window, and while I hasten to add that there is no rush to drink up, there’s also no need to delay your gratification either. The alcohol this vintage is 13.8%, while the residual sugar is 128 grams per liter, and the total acidity is 4.5 grams per liter of H2SO4.