Issan - Margaux 2017

Wine Advocate

92

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe3/17/2020

The 2017 D'Issan (a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot) is medium to deep garnet-purple in color with a nose of baked plums, warm cassis and stewed cherries plus earth, balsamic, Sichuan pepper and herbs hints. The palate is medium-bodied and plush with soft acidity and bags of juicy fruit leading to a gratifyingly spicy finish. Drinking Window : 2020 - 2035. 92+

Vinous

93

byAntonio Gallonithe3/11/2020

The 2017 d'Issan is pliant, supple and nuanced. This is an especially rich, voluptuous style, with a real feeling of lushness from the Merlot. Dark plum, tobacco, leather, cedar, licorice and spice build into a creamy, racy finish wrapped with silky tannins. Creamy and textured, with impeccable balance, the 2017 Issan is a winner from Emmanuel Cruse and his team.

Jamessuckling.com

94

byJames Sucklingthe1/13/2020

The plum and orange-peel character comes through here with subtle focus. Medium body and very fine, polished and refined tannins. A light, dusty texture to it. Yet, it’s always focused and bright. A blend of 65% cabernet sauvignon and 35% merlot. Needs time to soften, but already very pretty. Ethereal. Drink after 2022.

Le Point

16,5

byJacques Dupontthe6/20/2018

Fruits noirs, note florale, bonne fraîcheur, texture fine, bon enrobage, dans un style délicat, tendu, finale sur des tanins très mûrs.

Jeb DUNNUCK

89-91

byJeb Dunnuckthe6/12/2018

While the 2017 Château d'Issan isn’t going to make you forget the 2015, it nevertheless has outstanding potential. Based on 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot, brought up in 50% new oak and representing roughly 47% of the total production, it offers a medium-bodied, clean, balanced style as well as plenty of black cherries, leafy herbs, and hints of graphite. With moderate concentration, it comes up short on depth and richness, yet does have charm. It should drink well from 2021-2032.

Vinous

89-92

byAntonio Gallonithe5/15/2018

The 2017 d'Issan is plump, juicy and forward. There is lovely depth and texture to the 2017, but without the explosive energy that has characterized some recent vintages, including the 2015 and 2016. Plush fruit, silky and soft tannins all add to the wine's considerable appeal. I expect the 2017 will drink well with minimal cellaring. In 2017, d'Issan is a wine of finesse, persistence and nuance rather than power. The blend is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot. Harvest started on September 18, the earliest since 2003. Quite unusually, there was no break in between the picking of the Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Indeed, some of the younger vine Cabernet came in before all the Merlots were in. Tasted four times.

The Wine Cellar Insider

92-94

byJeff Levethe5/11/2018

A silky style of wine that is medium bodied, forward, polished and fruity. There is lift, ripe red fruits, forest leaf and tobacco strokes from start to finish. The juicy fruits in the endnote offer melodious, creamy textures. In three to five years this will develop even more intriguing complexities and softer textures. From a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 36% Merlot, the wine reached 13.18% alcohol with a pH of 3.68. The Grand Vin was produced from 47% of the harvest. The picking took place September 18 through October 3.

Vinous

90-92

byNeal Martinthe5/1/2018

The 2017 d’Issan was picked from 18 September to 3 October, the earliest since 2003. It was cropped at 43hl/ha and matured in 50% new oak. It has an elegant and understated bouquet with blackberry, black truffle and pencil lead aromas, quite Pauillac in style compared to previous vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with fine definition, quite saline in the mouth with black fruit, tar and minerals towards the lightly spiced finish that lingers in the mouth. It will benefit from several years in bottle but this continues a purple patch for this historic Margaux.

Wine Advocate

90-92

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe4/27/2018

The deep garnet-purple colored 2017 D'Issan (a tentative blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot opens with crushed blueberries and black plums notes with hints of cassis, licorice and violets. Medium-bodied with a firm and finely grained frame, it has oodles of freshness lifting the ripe black and blue fruits to a long, perfumed finish.

Decanter.com

94

byJane Ansonthe4/25/2018

This is rather lovely this year. It has a real depth to the fruit, with a brush of caramel through it and a highly appealing cigar box twist on the finish. It doesn't quite have the voluptuous ripeness of 2015 and 2016, but there's plenty of Margaux elegance, precision and touches of florality. They weren't badly affected by frost here, so they had a healthy yield of 43hl/ha. A complete wine with beginning, middle and end. 50% new oak.

Drinking Window 2024 - 2040

Jean-Marc QUARIN

16,5

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/17/2018

Wine Enthusiast

91-93

byRoger Vossthe4/17/2018

Attractively fruity, this wine comes from an estate that lies close to the Gironde estuary. It is full, with layers of crisp and juicy black-currant fruit, with attractive acidity and a light touch of tannins. Drink from 2022.

Jamessuckling.com

93-94

byJames Sucklingthe4/6/2018

This sneaks up on you with a pretty density of ripe fruit such as plums and strawberries. Full body, layered and ripe tannins set this young wine up for a tannic and fruity finish.