Issan - Margaux 2023

The Wine Palate

93

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe4/9/2026

The 2023 d’Issan is deep garnet-purple in color. It bursts from the glass with evocative notes of preserved plums, crème de cassis, and strawberry preserves, followed by nuances of menthol, fallen leaves, dried lavender, and Indian spices. The medium-bodied palate is chock-full of stewed black and red berry flavors with loads of spicy accents and a chewy texture, finishing with lingering exotic spice notes. The blend is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 2.5% Cabernet Franc, and 2.5% Petit Verdot, aged in 50% new oak, with pH 3.66.

The Wine Cellar Insider

95

byJeff Levethe3/30/2026

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.

Vinous

91

byNeal Martinthe2/1/2026

The 2023 Château d’Issan is certainly a significant step up from the Blason this vintage. It has a well-defined nose with predominantly red berry fruit (redcurrant and wild strawberry), with light rose petal scents emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red berry fruit laced with white pepper. I would have liked more length and breadth, given the vintage.

Jamessuckling.com

96

byJames Sucklingthe1/27/2026

Lots of plum, violet, blackberry, flint and orange blossom aromas follow through to a medium to full body with a solid core of fruit, creamy tannins and a minerally, flinty and crushed stone texture in the aftertaste. 70% cabernet sauvignon, 25% merlot, 2.5% cabernet franc and 2.5% petit verdot. Drink after 2028.

Jamessuckling.com

96

byJames Sucklingthe9/30/2024

A very rich, layered red with blackberry, fresh mushroom and some hazelnut. It’s full-bodied, layered and extremely intense. Velvety and chewy tannins. Still extremely powerful and young. James Suckling

Wine Advocate

93

byRobert Parkerthe9/30/2024

Deep garnet in color, the 2010 d’Issan opens with baked blackberries, blackcurrant jelly and stewed plums scents with hints of bouquet garni and charcoal. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is bright and refreshing with just enough chewy, textured black fruits an earthy finish.

Yvesbeck.wine

94-95

byYves Beckthe5/14/2024

Das Bouquet von Issan 2023 ist von Anfang an sehr präzise und vielschichtig. Es ist voller Nuancen und Finesse mit einladenden Noten von schwarzen Beeren, Minze, Kräutern und einem Hauch von Holz. Der Wein offenbart sich langsam dem Gaumen entlang. Zunächst wirkt er schlank, gewinnt aber an Dimension und kann auf die Unterstützung samtener Tannine zählen, die im Einklang mit der strukturierenden und belebenden Säure stehen. Ein linearer, einladender und anhaltender d'Issan.

The Wine Independent

92-94

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe5/7/2024

The 2023 d'Issan is deep garnet-purple in color. Quite closed to start off, it requires a lot of shaking to wake up scents of creme de cassis, plum preserves, and juicy strawberries followed by nuances of menthol, fallen leaves, dried lavender, and Indian spices. The medium-bodied palate is chock full of expressive black and red berry flavors with loads of spicy accents and a fine-grained texture, finishing with a floral lift. The blend is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 2.5% Cabernet Franc, and 2.5% Petit Verdot, aging in 50% new oak, with pH 3.66.

The Wine Cellar Insider

94-96

byJeff Levethe5/6/2024

Silky, elegance is the hallmark of this wine. It takes only one sip to know this is special. Concentrated, lush, refined, and rich, there is tension paired with layers of sweet, ripe, opulent fruits that linger. The purity in the mid-palate extends through to the rich, plush finish. The wine is made from a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 2.5% Cabernet Franc, and 2.5% Petit Verdot. 13.83% ABV, 3.66 pH. Picking took place September 18 - October 2, making this one of the longest, and latest harvests in the history of the estate. Drink from 2029-2055. 94-96 Pts.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

95

byJane Ansonthe5/6/2024

First time not to have Malbec in the main Issan wine since the purchase of the neighbouring estate Pontac Lynch in 2020. 50% new oak, 32hl/h yield. Fine tannins, well balanced, inky and powerful but with oyster shell salinity. Chalky tanins with touch of En Primeur asterity, well constructed, full of cocoa bean, cassis, liqourice root, classical balance. 30hl/h yield.

Vinous

93-95

byAntonio Gallonithe4/30/2024

The 2023 d’Issan is a powerful, dense wine, especially for a property where the wines tend to be more understated. A rich, muscular Margaux, the 2023 d'Issan exudes intensity in all of its dimensions. Readers will have to be patient, as the 2023 is going to need a number of years to shed some of its considerable baby fat. Dried herbs, tobacco, incense and bold, dark-toned fruit flow into the deep, resonant finish.

Falstaff

94

byPeter Moserthe4/29/2024

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.

Wine Advocate

93-95

byWilliam Kelleythe4/26/2024

The 2023 D'Issan shows excellent potential, unfurling in the glass with aromas of dark berries, cassis, pen ink and white flowers, followed by a medium to full-bodied, velvety and enveloping palate that's rich, fleshy and charming, with lively acids, good depth at the core and a long, sapid finish. It's a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.

Jamessuckling.com

96-97

byJames Sucklingthe4/25/2024

The purity of the fruit is really wonderful here, with blackcurrants, orange peel and raspberries. Aromatic. Full body, chewy tannins and a juicy finish. But it remains linear and vivid. The quality of the tannins and the powdery texture are really alluring. Silky. And so precise. 70% cabernet sauvignon, 25% merlot, 2.5% cabernet franc and 2.5% petit verdot. 13.83% alcohol. 3.66 pH.

Vertdevin

94

byJonathan Chicheportichethe4/24/2024