Château d'Issan 2023

A wonderful Margaux bouquet with violet and blackcurrant, along with mineral undertones; silky on the palate, incredibly crisp, showing plenty of tension, delicate fruit, exceptionally fine tannins, and a long finish marked by subtle toasted notes and dark and red fruits. An excellent d'Issan that’s already hard to spit.

Lovely fragrance, dried rose petals and raspberry fruit. Really scented and aromatic – quite inviting. Rich and juicy, a lovely weight with some chew to the expression. I like the charm on show – it’s got that fruit forwardness with licks of minty wet stone as well as fine tannins and mouthwatering acidity. Overall feels quite serious with more power on show than some, a tamed beast right now and you can feel the Petit Verdot in the blend. Round and forward, but still super finessed. This should evolve nicely. 50% grand vin production. 3.66 pH. 2.5% Petit Verdot completes the blend. Aged 50% in new oak.

Mint, cedar chest, forest leaf, and spicy red fruits define the nose. The medium-bodied palate is silky and fresh, with a refined, cherry-packed finish that sticks with you. I like that the purity in the mid-palate extends through to the elegant finish. The wine is made from a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 2.5% Cabernet Franc, and 2.5% Petit Verdot. Drink from 2029-2050.

Deep dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, delicate rim brightening. Nuances of black cherry, blackberry and cassis, candied violet, fresh orange peel. Complex, fine extract sweetness, ripe tannins, good freshness, lingers, delicate aftertaste of light caramel on the finish, sure maturity and certain ageing potential.

Delicate red-berry bouquet, heather, fresh blackcurrant nectar and a hint of lilac. On the compact palate with a tight-knit tannic framework, nervy verve, good density and a trained, athletic body. In the concentrated, long finish, red-berry contours, graphite and finely powdery astringency; a wine with potential.

First time without Malbec in the main Issan wine since the purchase of the neighbouring estate Pontac Lynch in 2020. 50% new oak, 32 hl/ha yield. Fine tannins, well balanced, inky and powerful but with oyster shell salinity. Chalky tannins with a touch of En Primeur austerity, well constructed, full of cocoa bean, cassis, liquorice root, classical balance. 30 hl/ha yield.

Score: 94–96. An aristocratic charm emanates from a refined, straight and elegant nose with blue fruits and floral aromas (iris, peony, violet). This pedigree is found in a fresh, delicate palate at first, which evolves toward smoky notes and blossoming flowers. The silky, caressing texture unfurls across the tongue like a velvet ribbon. The freshness and length of the finish rest on an intense mineral backbone.

A lovely fresh, mineral nose with a delicate floral background. It shows notes of smoke, pulpy blackberry and, more subtly, fleshy strawberry, joined by an almost pulpy blueberry touch, as well as hints of graphite and mocha, plus fine hints of smoke and toasted hazelnut, with a subtle touch of violet and an almost sappy undertone. The palate is mineral and fresh, offering precision, tension, a stretched feel, a tangy backbone and plenty of minerality. It delivers notes of juicy/fresh raspberry, juicy/fresh red cherry, and juicy small red fruits, combined with touches of toasted hazelnut and toasted almond, as well as hints of pulpy/fresh purple plum, fine hints of cardamom, and vanilla. A touch of sweetness, elegance and finesse, lovely suppleness. Fine concentration. Smooth, indulgent tannins. Chewy texture with a persistent iodized character and a very discreet, almost sappy note.

With aeration, a subtle smoky note emerges, followed by scents of lilac and iris, then the attack surprises with its volume and density. A fine corset of tannins shapes the palate, offering blackcurrant and licorice despite an evident restraint. The finish reveals its complexity: refreshing gentle bitterness, fresh spices.