Appellations

Issan 2017

Margaux, Third Growth

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Tasting Notes

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.

Score: 89 - 92 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Date: 01 May 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.

Score: 90 - 92 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2021-2040 Date: 01 May 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.

Score: 90 - 92 Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Date: 27 April 2018

Deep cherry red. Sweet, lifted red-cherry fruit on the nose. Very inviting. Cherries on the palate, too. Not particularly concentrated but scented with red fruit and the tannins are appropriately light to match the depth of fruit. Fresh and persistent. Silky finish. Not for the very long term, perhaps.

Score: 16 - 17 Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2023-2032 Date: 25 April 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.

Score: 89 - 91 Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com Date: 23 April 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.

Score: 93 - 94 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Date: 06 April 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.

Score: 94 Jane Anson, Decanter.com Maturity: 2024-2040 Date: 01 April 2018