The greater the expectation ....

Sometimes expectations can influence assessment such that the greater the expectation, the greater the eventual disappointment. Chateau d'Yquem is the one of, if not, the most famous sweet wine of France. This is also witnessed by the fact that the Sauternes Classification sets it apart by giving it a separate class of its own, Premier Cru Superieur.

This vintage was a difficult one and the harvest was done in 5 tries, with only the first 4 making it into the final assemblage. 40% of the harvest was done in the 3rd trie from October 27-31. The finished product was definitely a good Sauternes, but without the flair that one would expect from every bottle of such a legend. If it were Suduiraut, I would have applauded it. However being Yquem, the extraordinary flair I had come to expect was nowhere in evidence in this 1984 wine, leaving me with a sense of disappointment.