Chateau d’Yquem holds just under 300 acres of vineyard land on gravelly, well-drained soil, but only uses about 250 to make wine in any given year. The remainder is due to a program of continual replanting which ensures that producing vines are always in their prime. And the vineyard is planted only to Semillion (75%) and Sauvignon Blanc (25%), eschewing Muscadelle which is commonly used in the area but makes less distinguished wine.

Within an hour of harvest, the grapes of Chateau d’Yquem are in the winery and being pressed. Unlike most white wines, quality actually improves with multiple pressings as that extracts more sugar and flavor intensity. Chateau d’Yquem three or four times, with the initial effort yielding about 75% of the total volume.

Chateau d’Yquem does all its fermentation in new French oak barrels. This is unsual for Sauternes, but results in the most flavorful and pristine wine. Although there is variation from one vintage to the next, the typical Chateau d’Yquem wine finishes fermentation at 13.5% alcohol with 150 grams/liter of sugar.

All the barrels age for six to eight months after fermentation. At that point, under-performing barrels are set aside. The remaining barrels go to the aging cellar for 20 months, where they are topped up twice weekly to maintain freshness. For pure flavors and clarity, the wines are also racked 15 times and then fined before the final, blind tasting which determines the blend that will go into bottle.

Although not always very outgoing when young, Chateau d’Yquem is marked by fruit (apricot, mandarin, and occasionally tropical fruit) and oak (vanilla and toasty aromas). Older vintages, on the other hand, have an extraordinarily complex fragrance as soon as the bottle is opened, with hints of dried fruit (dried apricot, prune, stewed fruit, and marmalade), spice (cinnamon, saffron, and liquorice), and even flowers (lime blossom, etc.). The first impression of Chateau d'Yquem on the palate is always very silky, and often sumptuous. It then fills out, "coating the palate". This fine wine has a strong, but never overbearing character, with great elegance and poise. It always maintains a balance between sugar and acidity (sweetness and freshness). A touch of bitterness can also contribute to the overall harmony.

The 2015 Chateau d'Yquem Sauternes Blend is a notable white wine from the Bordeaux region of France, specifically from the Sauternes sub-region. This vintage has garnered high praise from various wine critics, making it a standout year for the Chateau d'Yquem.

James Suckling awarded this wine an impressive 99 points, describing it as "a very powerful yet at the same time bright and dry d’Yquem. Full-bodied, sweet yet phenolic and layered." He praised the wine for its "purity and beauty," noting the balance between tannin and sweetness and highlighting its freshness and lightness, which complement its depth and richness (jamessuckling.com, 1/7/2019).

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate also rated the 2015 vintage highly, with a score of 99 points. Yohan Castaing detailed its "multifaceted, entrancing bouquet" with aromas such as jasmine, lime leaves, grilled bread, saffron, and ripe orchard fruits. The wine is described as "crystalline and pure, full-bodied, seamless and layered," with a concentration on the mid-palate and an "energetic yet saline finish" (Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 10/31/2023).

The Wine Independent gave the 2015 Yquem a perfect score of 100 points. Lisa Perrotti-Brown noted its blend of 75% Semillon and 25% Sauvignon Blanc, with 144 grams per liter of residual sugar and 13.9% alcohol. She described it as "opulent, concentrated and so seductive," with a "profound sense of extravagance" (The Wine Independent, 9/4/2023).

Wine Enthusiast and Wine Spectator both gave the wine a score of 98 points. Wine Enthusiast's review mentioned its "rich and honeyed feel" with notes of fresh-cut orange, peach, nectarine, and a finish of green fig, warmed pear, and coconut (Wine Enthusiast, 3/31/2018). Wine Spectator echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the wine's "power balanced by an energy in the inner core" (Wine Spectator, 1/3/2018).

Vinous offered a slightly more reserved score of 94 points, noting that while the 2015 vintage is "beautiful," it lacks the "cohesion and complexity of the 2014" (Vinous, 4/19/2022).

Overall, the 2015 Chateau d'Yquem Sauternes Blend is celebrated for its exceptional purity, balance, and complexity, making it a wine that can be enjoyed now or cellared for decades to come.