Château d'Yquem "Y" (Ygrec)

97 pts, Jane Anson

The 2023 "Y," pronounced Ygrec, from Château d'Yquem in Sauternes, one of the most famous names in all of Bordeaux. Yquem is legendary for its sweet wine, but "Y" is something different: a fully dry white, made from grapes picked before the main Sauternes harvest begins and fermented in stainless steel with no residual sweetness. It has been made almost every vintage since 2005, in tiny quantities, around a thousand cases a year.

The 2023 is roughly half Sauvignon Blanc and half Sémillon, at 13.5% ABV. Decanter's Georgina Hindle scored it 96 points, calling it vibrant and sharp, with white peach, pear, elderflower, and bitter orange leading to a saline finish. Jane Anson scored it even higher, 97 points, noting salt crusted lime, sea spray, and citrus with real aging potential. A genuine rarity, the same terroir as one of the world's great sweet wines, made fully dry. Pairs beautifully with roasted lobster, scallops, or aged Comté.