Blason d'Issan - Margaux 2020

Vinous

88-90 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe6/1/2021

The 2020 Blason d'Issan is plump, juicy and easy to like. Inky dark fruit, chocolate, new leather, licorice, spice and lavender meld together in this attractive, open-knit second wine from Issan. Blason is built on a core of young-vine Merlot, plus Cabernet Sauvignon, and in 2020 a touch of Petit Verdot for the first time.

Jeb DUNNUCK

90-92 / 100

byJeb Dunnuckthe5/28/2021

The second wine of this estate is the 2020 Blason D'Issan, and it's a pure, fruit-forward, impressive barrel sample. Lots of sweet cassis and darker cherry fruits as well as chocolate, spicy oak, and espresso notes define this youthful, medium to full-bodied wine that's going to offer ample pleasure right out of the gate. The blend of the second wine is 57% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 3% Petit Verdot, brought up in 35% new French oak

Vinous

88-90 / 100

byNeal Martinthe5/27/2021

The 2020 Blason d’Issan has a rather compact bouquet that needs coaxing from the glass. I would have liked a little more nascent energy, but it seems a bit reluctant to show what it can do. The palate is more expressive, featuring attractive blackberry and cranberry fruit, a crunchy texture and good tension on the finish. I suspect the aromatics were just closed on the day and it should end up a very decent Margaux Deuxième Vin.

Decanter.com

92 / 100

byJane Ansonthe5/25/2021

Seductive aromatics, good balance running through the palate, this is enjoyable. Petit Verdot for the first time in the blend, from the Pontac-Lynch vines. This has some lovely depth and width through the palate, one of the better second wines. With the addition of new plots and new grapes, they did many more blending sessions than usual, to be sure especially, whether to add the 1% Malbec to the first wine (most of this info needs to be switched into the Issan entry). Young vines mainly in this wine, Merlot oriented. This year they added 7ha of vines (as of March, from Pontac Lynch, including a 1948 plot of Petit Verdot and a 1958 Cabernet Franc, plus 1% of Malbec that has gone into the blend of the 1st wine). Harvest September 17 through to October 2. A yield of 38.5hl/ha (last year was 50hl/ha).

Wine Advocate

87-89 / 100

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe5/20/2021

The 2020 Blason d'Issan is a blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 57% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot, aging in French oak barriques, 35% new. It has an alcohol of 13.49%, a pH of 3.77 and an IPT (tannin index) of 68. Deep garnet-purple colored, the nose delivers notions of baked black plums, mulberries and cherry compote, plus wafts of tree bark, pencil lead and dried Provence herbs. The medium-bodied palate is chock-full of lively black and red fruits, delivering a refreshing backbone and pleasantly chewy tannins, finishing savory.

Falstaff

89-91 / 100

the5/10/2021

Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung. Frische rotbeerige Nuancen, zarte Kräuterwürze, tabakige Nuancen, ein Hauch von Lakritze. Saftig, elegant, feine Brombeernoten, kräftige, etwas fordernde Tannine, mineralisch im Abgang, zart salzig, dunkle Schokolade im Nachhall.

Jamessuckling.com

93-94 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe5/4/2021

Lots of berry, sweet-tobacco, chocolate and spice character. Light coffee, too. Medium to full body with firm, juicy fruit and round tannins. Flavorful finish. Second wine. 57% merlot, 40% cabernet sauvignon and 3% petit verdot.

Tastingbook.com

92 /

byMarkus Del Monegothe4/13/2021

Dark purple red with violet hue and almost black core. Charming nose with ripe darkberries, elder berries, blackcurrants and blackberries, backed by an elegant spiciness and hints of earthy minerality. Subtle oak with very elegant toasting aroma and hints of dark chocolate. On the palate a wonderfully fresh wine with very good balance, fine acidity, ripe tannins, juicy fruit and very good length.