Appellations

Issan 2014

Margaux, Third Growth

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Tasting Notes

The 2014 d’Issan has a comparatively simple and straightforward bouquet relative to its peers, a light marine influence evolving with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, well judged acidity, harmonious and precise with a sustained finish. But it does not want to put a foot wrong and consequently there is an air of conservatism about this Margaux playing safe. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

Score: 91 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2020-2045 Date: 01 March 2018

The 2014 D'Issan has a crisp, pure bouquet, quite tight and reticent like the 2014 Marquis d'Alesme Becker, eventually offering blackberry, soy and cedar scents, almost Saint Julien in style. The palate is medium-bodied with a touch of herbaceousness on the entry, but there is plenty of fruit behind it. I like the classic style of this d'Issan, the pepperiness of the Cabernet driving the structured and quite masculine (for Margaux) finish. This is beginning to show the class that I thought it would and it may merit a higher score in the future. (91+)

Score: 91 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2020-2040 Date: 31 March 2017

The Château d'Issan 2014 is a blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon and 23% Merlot picked between 25 September and 15 October and matured in 50% new oak. It has a very precise, quite minerally bouquet that has that tradamark violet touch that pins down the appéllation. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and good acidity; appreciable depth with chewy black tarry fruit towards the finish. This is a guttsier d'Issan that will probably be one of the longer lasting Margaux crus of the vintage. I've been smitten by recent vintages from this glorious Margaux estate, but I detected just a mote of greenness on a couple of samples that I hope will vanish by the time of bottling. If it does then it will merit a higher score. Tasted three times.

Score: 89 - 91 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2020-2040 Date: 01 April 2015

The 2014 Château d’Issan is a step back from the 2015 yet is still a beautiful and elegant wine from this estate. Its ruby/purple-tinged color is followed by a gorgeous set of aromatics including currants, cedar, lead pencil, and flowers. With an herbal edge, medium to full-bodied richness, terrific concentration, and a focused, chiseled finish, this is pure class all the way. It’s already approachable but should be at its best from 2020-2040.

Score: 92 Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com Maturity: 2020-2040 Date: 30 November 2017

Complex aromas of sweet tobacco, chocolate, cedar and plums. Undertones of blackcurrants and dark chocolate. Dense and tight with a beautifully and tightly knit palate, yet this shows so much intensity and length. Love the wet-earth and berry character on the finish. Give this three to four years to soften even if it’s fantastic already to taste.

Score: 94 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Date: 13 February 2017

A dense and tight wine with cedar, berry, light chocolate and nut character. Full body, compacted center palate with muscular tannins.

Score: 92 - 93 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Date: 23 March 2015

Lifted notes of blackberry, cranberry and eucalyptus. Vibrant with a tightness on the finish but enough weight to balance this out.

Score: 90 - 93 Albany Vintners, - Date: 24 April 2015

Mid crimson. Correct and well balanced. Spreads right across the palate. Really very impressive balance with lots of useful elements. Good drive and interest quotient. Complex and satisfying. Quite persistent. Really very impressive even if not a very long-term wine.

Score: 17 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2018-2030 Date: 15 April 2015

The 2014 d'Issan is an open, forward wine that should drink well pretty much upon release as it already shows quite a bit of immediacy. Black cherry, plum, spice, new leather and licorice are some of the notes that meld together in the glass. The 2014 is juicy and not especially complex, but it does offer plenty of up-front appeal.

Score: 89 - 91 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Date: 01 April 2015

Elegant, with lacy yet persistent tannins carrying pretty plum, anise and savory hints. Lacks some stuffing on the finish.

Score: 86 - 89 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator Date: 01 April 2015