Issan 2005

Margaux, Third Growth

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Tasting Notes
The 2005 d'Issan steps up to a whole new level compared directly with the 1995 and 1999. It is blessed with a very perfumed and pure bouquet with blackberry, wild hedgerow, briary and crushed violets. Real Margaux character emanates from the glass and all with excellent delineation. The palate is extremely well balanced with fine tannins and a beguiling sense of symmetry. Layers of black fruit, tobacco, graphite and sea salt fan out wonderfully on the long and precise, mineral-driven finish. The 2005 evidences the improvements made with the estate's new vinification cellar and it will continue to give immense drinking pleasure over two, probably three decades. Tasted at the d’Issan vertical held at the property. Score: 92 Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2018 - 2045 01 July 2018
The nose is very impressive with fine mineralite: limestone, dark berries and a touch of fresh strawberry - very feminine and focused. The palate is very focused and supple on the entry, fleshy and lithe with a cashmere finish struck through with superb tension. This is an excellent from Emmanuel Cruse and his team and one probably undervalued in the market. Tasted July 2011. Score: 93 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 01 January 2012
The more serious grand vin twin, the 2005 d’Issan, has a stunning nose of spring flowers, blackcurrant and blue/black fruits galore, and an impressively opaque dark plum/purple color. With a rich, concentrated and pure mouthfeel, wonderfully sweet tannin, full-bodied density and richness, but elegance in abundance, this is a stunner, and one of the great Margaux of the vintage. Drink it now and over the next 20 years. Score: 96 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2015-2035 30 June 2015
Along with the 2000, the 2005 is one of the two greatest d’Issans I have ever tasted. Kudos to proprietor Emmanuel Cruse for creating this beauty. Its dense purple hue is accompanied by aromas of camphor, forest floor, blackberries, cassis, and a hint of spring flowers. Full-bodied with superb richness, purity, texture, and abundant, sweet tannin, it should hit its stride in 3-4 years, and last for 25+. Bravo! Score: 95 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 30 April 2008
While some octogenarians may argue that 1900 is better, this is the finest d’Issan I have ever tasted. The 2005 boasts a deep plum/ruby color as well as a beautiful projected bouquet of flowers, licorice, sweet currants, plums, cherries, and smoke. There is lovely purity in the mouth as well as an etched, precise character, stunning concentration, decent acidity, and an impressive finish that lasts nearly 45 seconds. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2025+. Score: 92 - 94 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 30 April 2006
Lots of sweet tea leaf with mineral and currant character. Stone undertones, too. Full body, firm tannins and a tight finish. One of the best ever from here with beautifully polished tannins. This needs at least three hours of decanting now. A wine for the future. Better in 2019. Score: 95 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Maturity: 2019+ 13 March 2015
Polished and beautiful. Lots of sweet tea leaf with mineral and currant character, and stone undertones. Full body, with firm tannins and a tight finish. Needs at least three hours of decanting. A wine for the future, but delicious now. Score: 95 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com 20 October 2014
Full and silky, with lots of berry, chocolate and spice character. Wonderful texture to this wine. Best ever from here? Like cashmere. Almost 92-94. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. Score: 89 - 91 James Suckling, Wine Spectator 01 April 2006
Very dark blackish crimson. Lively nose even if not very intense. Sweet and round and fleshy. Bergamot and lots of sumptuous fruit. Built to last. Quite delicate and Margaux-like. Lots of dry not drying tannins. And some zest. Hooray! Score: 17 - 18 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2015-2028 01 August 2009
Dark crimson. Very energetic, aromatic nose. Full-blown and opulent and very 2005. Lots of tannin, but ripe tannin. Very bright fruit. Good example of the vintage and it also expresses Margaux. Good structure. Hits the palate throughout the tasting experience. Score: 17 - 18 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2014-2022 10 April 2006
Issan is always a good example of the appellation with Emmanuel Cruse making pure (and well-priced) wines here. The 2005 shows lovely floral aromas and very pure, well defined ripe fruit in the mouth, round and fleshy with considerable concentration and an impressive finish. Vibrant and charming and very, very good this year. Score: - Albany Vintners, - 10 April 2006

Tasting Notes

The 2005 d'Issan steps up to a whole new level compared directly with the 1995 and 1999. It is blessed with a very perfumed and pure bouquet with blackberry, wild hedgerow, briary and crushed violets. Real Margaux character emanates from the glass and all with excellent delineation. The palate is extremely well balanced with fine tannins and a beguiling sense of symmetry. Layers of black fruit, tobacco, graphite and sea salt fan out wonderfully on the long and precise, mineral-driven finish. The 2005 evidences the improvements made with the estate's new vinification cellar and it will continue to give immense drinking pleasure over two, probably three decades. Tasted at the d’Issan vertical held at the property.

Score: 92

Neal Martin, Vinous.com Maturity: 2018 - 2045 01 July 2018

The nose is very impressive with fine mineralite: limestone, dark berries and a touch of fresh strawberry - very feminine and focused. The palate is very focused and supple on the entry, fleshy and lithe with a cashmere finish struck through with superb tension. This is an excellent from Emmanuel Cruse and his team and one probably undervalued in the market. Tasted July 2011.

Score: 93

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 01 January 2012

The more serious grand vin twin, the 2005 d’Issan, has a stunning nose of spring flowers, blackcurrant and blue/black fruits galore, and an impressively opaque dark plum/purple color. With a rich, concentrated and pure mouthfeel, wonderfully sweet tannin, full-bodied density and richness, but elegance in abundance, this is a stunner, and one of the great Margaux of the vintage. Drink it now and over the next 20 years.

Score: 96

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2015-2035 30 June 2015

Along with the 2000, the 2005 is one of the two greatest d’Issans I have ever tasted. Kudos to proprietor Emmanuel Cruse for creating this beauty. Its dense purple hue is accompanied by aromas of camphor, forest floor, blackberries, cassis, and a hint of spring flowers. Full-bodied with superb richness, purity, texture, and abundant, sweet tannin, it should hit its stride in 3-4 years, and last for 25+. Bravo!

Score: 95

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 30 April 2008

While some octogenarians may argue that 1900 is better, this is the finest d’Issan I have ever tasted. The 2005 boasts a deep plum/ruby color as well as a beautiful projected bouquet of flowers, licorice, sweet currants, plums, cherries, and smoke. There is lovely purity in the mouth as well as an etched, precise character, stunning concentration, decent acidity, and an impressive finish that lasts nearly 45 seconds. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2025+.

Score: 92 - 94

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 30 April 2006

Lots of sweet tea leaf with mineral and currant character. Stone undertones, too. Full body, firm tannins and a tight finish. One of the best ever from here with beautifully polished tannins. This needs at least three hours of decanting now. A wine for the future. Better in 2019.

Score: 95

James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Maturity: 2019+ 13 March 2015

Polished and beautiful. Lots of sweet tea leaf with mineral and currant character, and stone undertones. Full body, with firm tannins and a tight finish. Needs at least three hours of decanting. A wine for the future, but delicious now.

Score: 95

James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com 20 October 2014

Full and silky, with lots of berry, chocolate and spice character. Wonderful texture to this wine. Best ever from here? Like cashmere. Almost 92-94. Tasted twice, with consistent notes.

Score: 89 - 91

James Suckling, Wine Spectator 01 April 2006

Very dark blackish crimson. Lively nose even if not very intense. Sweet and round and fleshy. Bergamot and lots of sumptuous fruit. Built to last. Quite delicate and Margaux-like. Lots of dry not drying tannins. And some zest. Hooray!

Score: 17 - 18

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2015-2028 01 August 2009

Dark crimson. Very energetic, aromatic nose. Full-blown and opulent and very 2005. Lots of tannin, but ripe tannin. Very bright fruit. Good example of the vintage and it also expresses Margaux. Good structure. Hits the palate throughout the tasting experience.

Score: 17 - 18

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2014-2022 10 April 2006

Issan is always a good example of the appellation with Emmanuel Cruse making pure (and well-priced) wines here. The 2005 shows lovely floral aromas and very pure, well defined ripe fruit in the mouth, round and fleshy with considerable concentration and an impressive finish. Vibrant and charming and very, very good this year.

Score: -

Albany Vintners, - 10 April 2006

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