Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple hours. The 2005 d’Issan is showing off both the attributes of the vintage and Margaux. Its color is deep and aside from some slight rim variation, it hardly shows its age. Handsomely perfumed, the nose is redolent of black currants, black plums, dark brambles, tobacco, leather, gravelly earth and subtle warm spices. Maybe a kiss of Brett? On the palate, the wine is dry with medium(+?) tannins and medium(+?) acid. Both come across so smooth but they are certainly there. The notes from the nose are confirmed. The finish is long and satisfying. Bold and yet refined. Suave. Textbook. Drinking very well right now and certainly doesn’t need more time however, it’s hard to imagine a day in the next 20+ years that this wine won’t perform.

Vintage 2010 | smell with a terroir impression, cherries, a hint of balsamico. Elegance with a velvety structure.

Floral. So pretty. Elegant but also a bit bitter.

Smoked meat, spices on the nose. Toast, sweet fruits, watery and juicy.

Mother Mary of God! Why didn’t I buy more of this wine? It’s so good tonight with at least a decade and half ahead of it to get even better.

The 2006 a vintage that followed 2005, more than difficult, right? Not here!

The is classic good Margaux. The nose is like an aphrodisiac...fills the nostrils and runs through the whole body. Ripe, fragrant, floral; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, black plum, baked strawberries, dry cranberries with creamy raspberries. Steeped tea, limestone, dry crushed rocks, rich forest floor, sweet tarry notes, black licorice, vanilla, mixed dark berry cola, fresh tobacco, suede leather, stem inclusion, dark red florals with fresh violets.

The body is medium full and pure heaven. It glides effortlessly over the palate. The structure, tension, length & balance are pushing its peak. It’s a perfect tug of war with fruit & earth. It’s the definition of elegance. Ripe, fragrant, floral; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, black plum, baked strawberries, dry cranberries with creamy raspberries. Layered baking spices; vanilla, cinnamon, clove & a touch of nutmeg. Steeped tea, limestone, beautiful medium intensity inter-mixed Asian-Indian spices, dry crushed rocks, rich forest floor, sweet tarry notes, black licorice, mixed dark berry cola, fresh tobacco, suede leather, stem inclusion, dark red florals with fresh violets. The acidity is waterfall perfect. The finish is crazy beautiful, elegant, well balanced, rich, ripe and heaven.

Photos of, the Chateau at sunset, Emmanuel Cruse, the owner and director of Chateau d'Issan, their barrel room, and Estate vines.

So beautiful.

Ripe, volatile.

Absolutely lovely. Elegant already with plenty of legs.

Elegant, as always. Drinking great after 30 minutes. Full bodied but not heavy. Perfume, spice, anise, black cherry and currant.

Had this beauty at a recent tasting. The present-day chateau was constructed in the 17th Century, like many Bordeaux estates, in ruins after WW1. Acquired by the Cruse family in the 1950's, replanted and restored, and declared a Third Growth in the 1855 Bordeaux classification. Deep red with dark berry aromas and sweet spice. The palate shows blackberry rich tannins, still tight, lingering finish with earthy tones. Nice! Tasting Sample.