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 2019 Chateau d'Yquem from Bordeaux's Sauternes region is a Sauternes Blend that has garnered substantial acclaim from wine critics. This vintage is notable for its high proportion of Sauvignon Blanc, comprising 45% of the blend, a characteristic that several reviewers highlight. This composition brings a fresh and vibrant quality to the wine, balancing its natural sweetness.

Jane Anson of janeanson.com awards the wine a 97, describing it as having "silky rich depths" with "tingling mineral limon and citrus flavors." She also notes the wine's organic conversion, which began in 2019. Similarly, Decanter praises the wine with another 97, emphasizing the intense flavors of "peach and apricot, combined with lemon and orange zest." They suggest that while it is immediately appealing, it will benefit from aging, with a drinking window extending from 2025 to 2060.

Vinous gives this vintage a near-perfect score of 98, noting the challenging growing conditions and the tight picking window that defined the harvest. Jeff Leve from TheWineCellarInsider.com echoes this sentiment, also scoring it a 98, and emphasizing the wine's "opulent, fresh, sweet, rich" character that maintains lift and energy, making it versatile for pairing.

Wine Spectator and James Suckling add to the chorus of praise, with scores of 97 and 96 respectively. Wine Spectator describes it as a "special wine right from the start," highlighting its array of tropical and floral notes. James Suckling appreciates the wine's "juicy" nature and "creamy and round texture."

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate gives it a slightly lower score of 93 but acknowledges its balanced and energetic profile, with a Sauvignon Blanc-driven bouquet. Overall, the 2019 Chateau d'Yquem is highly regarded for its freshness, complexity, and potential for aging.