Castle of Issan - Margaux 2009

Jamessuckling.com

94 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe10/20/2014

Wonderfully perfumed with dark berry, mineral and chocolate character. Full body, with great tannins and a long, racy finish. Super-refined; still in reserve and better in 2016.

Wine Advocate

91 / 100

byNeal Martinthe1/1/2013

Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. The d'Issan '09 shows very fine precision on the nose, although it is not as multifaceted as other wines in the Margaux flight. There are scents of blackberry, black olive and a faint maritime influence, almost seaweed. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins. This is finely balanced with a touch of white pepper and a sweet, liquorice tinged finish. A classy performance. Tasted January 2013.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

92 / 100

byStephen Tanzerthe7/31/2012

Bright medium ruby-red. Wild aromas of redcurrant, blueberry, mocha, smoke and game. Very rich and full for Margaux if a bit youthfully monolithic today following its silky entry, with black fruit flavors accompanied by medicinal chocolate and menthol elements. Has the stuffing and length to support its big, mouthdusting tannins. Offers impressive potential.

Wine Spectator

91 / 100

byJames Molesworththe3/31/2012

A taut but fresh style, with plum skin, mesquite and mineral notes running along. There's a solid core of steeped blackberry fruit in reserve, and the perfumy finish has latent grip. Best from 2013 through 2023. –JM

Wine Advocate

93 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe2/29/2012

A strong effort from proprietor Emmanuel Cruse, d’Issan’s 2009 was fashioned from minuscule yields of 18 hectoliters per hectare, and its 13.7% natural alcohol set a record at this estate. Composed of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon and 38% Merlot, it exhibits a classic Margaux fragrance of acacia flowers/violets, blueberries, cassis, licorice and camphor. Opulent and full-bodied with silky tannins as well as a rich, dense style, it will be interesting to compare the 2009 with the brilliant 2000 and 2005 over the next two to three decades. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2035+.

Jamessuckling.com

92 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/15/2012

Tar, spice, sweet tobacco and plums on the nose. Full body, with chewy, ripe tannins and juicy fruit. Firm tannins. Medium finish. Needs a few years to come together. Slightly rustic but I like it. Try in 2018.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

89-92 / 100

byIan D'Agatathe6/30/2010

(a 60/40 blend of merlot and cabernet sauvignon; 13.9% alcohol; ITP 72; pH 3.81) Very dark ruby, with black highlights. The nose is distinctly stricter and more austere than usual for this wine, with fresh blackcurrant, violet and cedar aromas nicely lifted by a mineral note. Enters bright and fresh, with lively acids nicely framing the sweet black fruit flavors. The long, clean, vibrant finish features building tannins that are youthfully aggressive and chewy. This very attractive, classically styled Bordeaux wine eschews overripe aromas and jammy fruit flavors and is very much Margaux in style and weight. Although it will need considerable time to resolve its tannins and open fully, it should appeal to those who prefer the daintier, higher-acid style of Bordeaux Forget about it in your cellar for about 10 years, then enjoy it for another 20 after that.

La Revue du Vin de France

16,5-17,5 / 20

the5/31/2010

Helàs! Le vignoble d'Issan, comme certaines autres propriétés de Margaux, a été très touché par la grêle en mai 2009. La petit récolte qui a pu être sauvrée a permis de produire un vin charmeur, plein et riche, avec un degré alcoolique de 13,8 bien équilibré par la structure tannique du vin. Gras et chalereux, il n'affiche pas la distinction des plus grands.

Le Point

16 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe5/6/2010

Fruits noirs, bouche fraîche, vive, élégante, tendue, tanins moelleux en milieu de bouche, finale assez tannique, un peu de cassis en finale. O=2017 G=20 ans

Falstaff

88-90 / 100

byPeter Moserthe4/30/2010

Rauchig-vegetal unterlegte Zwetschkenfrucht, zarte Kräuterwürze, rustikal. Mittlerer Körper, etwas spröde Tannine, süße Frucht, die gut anhaftet, Orangen im Nachhall, etwas austrocknend, hat Länge.

TAST

17 / 20

by Bettane & Desseauvethe4/30/2010

Soyeux, velouté, le vin prend en bouche une dimension large sur un fruit onctueux, charnu et très rond. Il promet beaucoup.

Wine Advocate

90-92 / 100

byNeal Martinthe4/30/2010

Tasted at the chateau and then at a negociant. The d’Issan ’09 is quite austere compared to its neighbours, a little leafy perhaps but well-defined and harmonious, gaining intensity with aeration. The palate is well balanced, quite masculine with sous-bois and tobacco notes inflecting the black fruits, leading to a firm, almost foursquare finish that does not want to party. Moderate length. I think this will fatten out, loosen up through its élevage. Tasted March 2010.

Wine Enthusiast

89-91 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/30/2010

The wine has a rustic edge, over very juicy fruit, very blackcurrant, and with a high acid content. It feels light.

Wein Wisser

17 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe4/30/2010

Dunkles Granat. Intensives Bouquet, schwarze Beeren, Pfefferkörner, ein Hauch Trüffel. Im Gaumen fest, verlangend, feine Kapselnoten im mit Gerbstoffen beladenen Extrakt. Grosses Potenzial, aber wie immer (zu) hart. 2020–2043

Wine Advocate

93-95 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/28/2010

Following the lustrous 2000 and 2005, the 2009 is another terrific effort from proprietor Emmanuel Cruse. Tiny yields of 18 hectoliters per hectare, 13.7% natural alcohol, and a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon and 38% Merlot have resulted in a wine boasting stunning minerality along with notes of flowers, blueberries, and black currants. Full-bodied with silky tannin, a tremendous opulence, and levels of density and richness never before seen at this estate, this brilliant d’Issan should age for three decades or more. (Tasted two times.) Drink 2010-2040.

Periodic Review of Wine

93-95 / 100

byAlan Duranthe4/28/2010

Another stunning achievement from Margaux! This wine is like a beautiful ballet, the fruit dances across the palate with such elegance and poise. The opaque ruby-purple color precedes roaring perfumes of pain grillé, scorched earth, mulberry, cherry, white flower, and rubbed spice meats. Along with the likes of Brane-Cantenac, this d'Issan offers much in the way of gripping flavor, concentration, delicacy, finesse, medium to full-body, and length of stunning proportions. I was flabbergasted at how brilliantly its nuances reveal additional layers of flavour. Emmanuel Cruse continues to stun Margaux with his complex wines! Maturity period 2015-2030.

Wine Spectator

88-91 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/9/2010

Blackberry and mineral aromas follow through to a full body, with silky tannins and a medium finish. Subtle and attractive, but lacks a little concentration.

Decanter Magazine

17,5 / 20

bySteven Spurrierthe4/9/2010

Dense red, rich,, plummy black fruits, wonderful middle palate showing great structure over the lissom, fleshy fruit, lovely texture and very good tannins for the future. Drink 2015-28

Jancis Robinson

17 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe4/7/2010

May 11 hail meant yield was just 35 hl/ha. We were shown a sarment with scars like machine-gun fire on one side and satin smooth on the other. Dark, intense nose. Very smooth and satin-like with the tannins extremely ripe underneath. Very similar blend to Blason, 40% Merlot, same as in 2005. Fresh and ripe and easy. With a nice kick on the finish. This should last a lot longer but it’s very much in the same style. Drink 2015-2027