A year of excesses: above-average temperatures, heavy rain in July and September that miraculously spared Yquem, and a tropical month of August. The situation called for considerable patience, but this was rewarded in October with dry weather, and the crop was able to be picked in two passes. The grapes were concentrated and very pure. 1999 is a lucky vintage which, thanks to skilful winemaking, is one of the best of the 1990s.