Chateau d'Yquem dominates the Sauternais. It dominates the local landscape; situated near the peak at the centre of the southern half of the appellation it is visible for miles, with a fine view of near neighbours Lafaurie Peyraguey, Guiraud and Rieussec, just a few of the other chateaux which surround the estate. It dominates the 1855 classification of Sauternes and Barsac, sitting pretty in its own private ranking of Premier Cru Supérieur. And it dominates in terms of price; the wines of Chateau d'Yquem are several times as expensive as those of its neighbours.
The vineyards at d'Yquem total 113 ha in all, although only 100 ha are in production at any one time. This allows for grubbing up of elderly vines and replanting following a year when the plot is left fallow. The mix in the vineyard is 80% Semillon and 20% Sauvignon Blanc, with none of the permitted Muscadelle. The soils are variable, unsurprising for such a large estate, but there is much clay which necessitated the installation of the aforementioned field drains. Harvest is by hand in several tries, obviously, with yields typically 9 hl/ha. Fermentation is in oak, followed by typically three years in barrel, with a racking every three months
