Issan 2010

Margaux, Third Growth

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Tasting Notes
Tasted at an impromptu visit to the chateau, the d’Issan 2010 (a blend of 39% Merlot and 61% Cabernet Sauvignon representing 53% of the crop, raised in 55% new oak for 12 months) has an intense bouquet of blackcurrant, a hint of creme de cassis and blueberry. This really captures the essence of Margaux: floral and feminine. The palate is soft and caressing on the entry with light but tensile tannins encasing the mineral-rich black fruit. It is very well balanced, nicely focused with a lingering hint of black pepper on the finish. Harmonious and long, this is a superlative d’Issan from Emmanuel Cruse and his team. Score: 94 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 01 March 2013
A blend of 39% Merlot and 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, cropped between 27th September and 14th October at 42hl/ha representing 53% of the crop, clocking 13.7% and a pH 3.81. It has a tightly-coiled, mineral-rich bouquet with blackberry, wild hedgerow, a touch of blueberry and crushed violet. Good definition and very controlled. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins on the entry, a little earthy with some sous-bois and cigar box emanating from the ripe Cabernet, good weight but not overbearing towards the finish. Very natural. This is not a show-stopping wine, but a d’Issan that you will gladly have on your table and deserves several years cellaring. Tasted April 2011. Score: 92 - 94 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 19 April 2011
Gorgeous ripe fruit in this with plum, black cherries and spices on the nose and palate. Full body, with soft tannins and a long, long finish. Very refined and focused. Best from here in decades. Try after 2018. Score: 94 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Maturity: 2018+ 04 February 2013
A complete, medium to full-bodied, exquisite Margaux from this medieval, moat-encircled, compellingly beautiful estate in the southern Medoc, D’Issan’s 2010 is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. The deep, gravelly soils mixed with clay have provided extraordinary aromatics. The yields were ridiculously low (22 hectoliters per hectare) and the wine tips the scaled at 13.7% natural alcohol. Production was small after the selection for the grand vin, and the result is a dense, purple-colored wine with beautiful aromatics of spring flowers, blueberries and black raspberries as well as hints of cassis, tar and charcoal. The wine is gorgeously pure, well-balanced, and soft enough to be approached in 4-5 years or cellared for 25-30. Score: 95 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2017-2043 01 February 2013
Emmanuel Cruse has done a superb job at this moated castle on the southern approach to the appellation of Margaux. The dense blue/purple-tinged 2010 reveals notes of violets, blue and black fruits, a striking minerality, excellent purity, texture and length, a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel and noticeable but sweet, well-integrated tannins. It should drink well in 5-6 years and last 25-35. Score: 94 - 96 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 04 May 2011
Fresh-fruited dusty fragrance. Exhales class. This is the stuff. Finesse all the way through, with the finest of dry tannins - so fine you almost overlook them until you feel the completeness of this wine - fully structured and fresh but you just can't pick out the elements. The long finish is fresh with a hint of cedary freshness. Score: 17 - 18 Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2019-2032 10 April 2012
Inky and dark. Floral and lifted nose with good quality fresh fruit. Smooth with great minerality, mouthcoating tannins and minerals on the back end. Vivacious and beautifully made. Score: 92 - 95 Albany Vintners, - 27 April 2011
‘Final blend since Jan 2011.’ 55% new oak. Very dark crimson. Heady and perfumed and very Margaux. More subtle on the nose. Very sweet start with good freshness. Tighter and introvert. Needs a long time. The grown-up version of Blason d’Issan. Lovely delicacy. Very fine tannins on the end but with Margaux polish. Score: 17 - 18 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2022-2036 18 April 2011
Fine fragrant nose, perfect extraction, already beautifully textured, great future, probably the best d'Issan yet. Score: 18 Decanter, Decanter.com Maturity: 2016-2035 01 April 2011
A juicy, ripe, forward style, with lots of kirsch and blackberry notes filled in with apple, sweet spice and red licorice, followed by a juicy finish. Not quite as vivid as the top examples, but solid. Score: 89 - 92 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator 31 March 2011

Tasting Notes

Tasted at an impromptu visit to the chateau, the d’Issan 2010 (a blend of 39% Merlot and 61% Cabernet Sauvignon representing 53% of the crop, raised in 55% new oak for 12 months) has an intense bouquet of blackcurrant, a hint of creme de cassis and blueberry. This really captures the essence of Margaux: floral and feminine. The palate is soft and caressing on the entry with light but tensile tannins encasing the mineral-rich black fruit. It is very well balanced, nicely focused with a lingering hint of black pepper on the finish. Harmonious and long, this is a superlative d’Issan from Emmanuel Cruse and his team.

Score: 94

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 01 March 2013

A blend of 39% Merlot and 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, cropped between 27th September and 14th October at 42hl/ha representing 53% of the crop, clocking 13.7% and a pH 3.81. It has a tightly-coiled, mineral-rich bouquet with blackberry, wild hedgerow, a touch of blueberry and crushed violet. Good definition and very controlled. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins on the entry, a little earthy with some sous-bois and cigar box emanating from the ripe Cabernet, good weight but not overbearing towards the finish. Very natural. This is not a show-stopping wine, but a d’Issan that you will gladly have on your table and deserves several years cellaring. Tasted April 2011.

Score: 92 - 94

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 19 April 2011

Gorgeous ripe fruit in this with plum, black cherries and spices on the nose and palate. Full body, with soft tannins and a long, long finish. Very refined and focused. Best from here in decades. Try after 2018.

Score: 94

James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Maturity: 2018+ 04 February 2013

A complete, medium to full-bodied, exquisite Margaux from this medieval, moat-encircled, compellingly beautiful estate in the southern Medoc, D’Issan’s 2010 is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. The deep, gravelly soils mixed with clay have provided extraordinary aromatics. The yields were ridiculously low (22 hectoliters per hectare) and the wine tips the scaled at 13.7% natural alcohol. Production was small after the selection for the grand vin, and the result is a dense, purple-colored wine with beautiful aromatics of spring flowers, blueberries and black raspberries as well as hints of cassis, tar and charcoal. The wine is gorgeously pure, well-balanced, and soft enough to be approached in 4-5 years or cellared for 25-30.

Score: 95

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2017-2043 01 February 2013

Emmanuel Cruse has done a superb job at this moated castle on the southern approach to the appellation of Margaux. The dense blue/purple-tinged 2010 reveals notes of violets, blue and black fruits, a striking minerality, excellent purity, texture and length, a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel and noticeable but sweet, well-integrated tannins. It should drink well in 5-6 years and last 25-35.

Score: 94 - 96

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 04 May 2011

Fresh-fruited dusty fragrance. Exhales class. This is the stuff. Finesse all the way through, with the finest of dry tannins - so fine you almost overlook them until you feel the completeness of this wine - fully structured and fresh but you just can't pick out the elements. The long finish is fresh with a hint of cedary freshness.

Score: 17 - 18

Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2019-2032 10 April 2012

Inky and dark. Floral and lifted nose with good quality fresh fruit. Smooth with great minerality, mouthcoating tannins and minerals on the back end. Vivacious and beautifully made.

Score: 92 - 95

Albany Vintners, - 27 April 2011

‘Final blend since Jan 2011.’ 55% new oak. Very dark crimson. Heady and perfumed and very Margaux. More subtle on the nose. Very sweet start with good freshness. Tighter and introvert. Needs a long time. The grown-up version of Blason d’Issan. Lovely delicacy. Very fine tannins on the end but with Margaux polish.

Score: 17 - 18

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2022-2036 18 April 2011

Fine fragrant nose, perfect extraction, already beautifully textured, great future, probably the best d'Issan yet.

Score: 18

Decanter, Decanter.com Maturity: 2016-2035 01 April 2011

A juicy, ripe, forward style, with lots of kirsch and blackberry notes filled in with apple, sweet spice and red licorice, followed by a juicy finish. Not quite as vivid as the top examples, but solid.

Score: 89 - 92

James Molesworth, Wine Spectator 31 March 2011

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