Château d'Issan
Blason d'Issan Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend
Margaux, Médoc, Bordeaux, France
If I put this in a blind red tasting, I’m pretty sure that many would not call Bordeaux. Rarely do I call perfectly ripe fruit. This 05 fruit is perfectly ripe. I would say this 05 is at its peak it is so good but it truly isn’t. This D’Issan has 12-15 years left of good drinking with a 5 year slide after. 2005 Bordeaux’s are drinking exceptionally as it was perceived when they were birthed. Three hour decant.
The wine glides effortlessly & beautifully over the palate. It is delicious. Ripe, floral, not quite candied fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherry kirsch, black plum, strawberries & blue fruits. Mid berry cola/licorice, black tea, softened lead pencil, dry crushed rocks, dry river stone, limestone, mostly fresh tobacco, firecracker, flinty spices, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, just moist, dark turned earth, drying clay, volcanic stones & ash, loaminess, dry to slightly fresh mixed herbs, sandstone, sandalwood, some black pepper, red, purple, dark, blue florals framed in violets, Hawaii waterfall acidity with a well polished, balanced, nicely tensioned & structured finish that lasts minutes. Wire to wire outstanding.
It is interesting reading the multiple RP reviews after my notes…from 90-92 young by Neil Martin to his 94 later & then Parker himself in 2015 a 96. Not surprising that time in bottle is constant evolution and worth the wait in proper storage. @D&SLounge
If I put this in a blind red tasting, I’m pretty sure that many would not call Bordeaux. Rarely do I call perfectly ripe fruit. This 05 fruit is perfectly ripe. I would say this 05 is at its peak it is so good but it truly isn’t. This D’Issan has 12-15 years left of good drinking with a 5 year slide after. 2005 Bordeaux’s are drinking exceptionally as it was perceived when they were birthed. Three hour decant.
The wine glides effortlessly & beautifully over the palate. It is delicious. Ripe, floral, not quite candied fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherry kirsch, black plum, strawberries & blue fruits. Mid berry cola/licorice, black tea, softened lead pencil, dry crushed rocks, dry river stone, limestone, mostly fresh tobacco, firecracker, flinty spices, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, just moist, dark turned earth, drying clay, volcanic stones & ash, loaminess, dry to slightly fresh mixed herbs, sandstone, sandalwood, some black pepper, red, purple, dark, blue florals framed in violets, Hawaii waterfall acidity with a well polished, balanced, nicely tensioned & structured finish that lasts minutes. Wire to wire outstanding.
It is interesting reading the multiple RP reviews after my notes…from 90-92 young by Neil Martin to his 94 later & then Parker himself in 2015 a 96. Not surprising that time in bottle is constant evolution and worth the wait in proper storage. @D&SLounge
The 2020 d'Issan is a gorgeous, wonderfully complete wine. Blueberry, sage, dried herbs, menthol, lavender and licorice are all beautifully knit together. Medium in body, with notable depth and freshness, Issan is all class. Silky tannins round out the long, vibrant finish. The 2020 d'Issan is the first vintage that incorporates Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec to complement the traditional Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in the blend. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, February 2023)
The 2020 d'Issan is a gorgeous, wonderfully complete wine. Blueberry, sage, dried herbs, menthol, lavender and licorice are all beautifully knit together. Medium in body, with notable depth and freshness, Issan is all class. Silky tannins round out the long, vibrant finish. The 2020 d'Issan is the first vintage that incorporates Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec to complement the traditional Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in the blend. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, February 2023)
Feb 23rd, 2023
Vintage 2013 / strawberry marmelade, menthol, brushwood, elegance. Very quaffable. A Claret for Burgundy lovers.
Vintage 2013 / strawberry marmelade, menthol, brushwood, elegance. Very quaffable. A Claret for Burgundy lovers.
Dec 17th, 2019
A bit firmer than my last bottle. Still tasty though. Looking forward to watching this one develop over the years. Such a great value!
A bit firmer than my last bottle. Still tasty though. Looking forward to watching this one develop over the years. Such a great value!
2 people found it helpfulMar 5th, 2016
Classic Bordeaux profile, with no shortage of persistence or complexity, especially on day 2.
Classic Bordeaux profile, with no shortage of persistence or complexity, especially on day 2.
1 person found it helpfulApr 8th, 2019Another tasty bottle! Dark red berries, cedar, some floral. Fills out nicely with a bit of air.
Another tasty bottle! Dark red berries, cedar, some floral. Fills out nicely with a bit of air.
1 person found it helpfulApr 7th, 2016Fantastic wine and great value in Bordeaux.
Fantastic wine and great value in Bordeaux.
Mar 20th, 2017This #margaux was quite pretty at first taste with typical #leftbank fruit and non-fruit characteristics. There was moderate structure and good length. Unfortunately I revisited the wine an hour later and it was austere and disjointed. #dissan #bordeaux
This #margaux was quite pretty at first taste with typical #leftbank fruit and non-fruit characteristics. There was moderate structure and good length. Unfortunately I revisited the wine an hour later and it was austere and disjointed. #dissan #bordeaux
Apr 27th, 2016Beautiful Margaux lightness combined with the concentration of 2005. Drank out of mag. Very pretty
Beautiful Margaux lightness combined with the concentration of 2005. Drank out of mag. Very pretty
Feb 27th, 2015
Great value. Deep tannins and opulent attack. An impressive effort in a tremendous vintage.
Great value. Deep tannins and opulent attack. An impressive effort in a tremendous vintage.
Feb 13th, 2015